CCGs want more information about the choices they have over commissioning support ahead of authorisation next April, according to a new survey.
A third of CCGs have not decided what support they needed and wanted more clarity on the services suppliers were able to provide, found the survey carried out by the NHS Alliance, NAPC and the NHS Commissioning Board.
There was a mixed mood among GP commissioners, with 59% of CCGs calling for more information about choice of commissioning support, 61% wanting more clarity on the types of services suppliers are able to provide, and 64% requiring more advice about how to procure their support.
Some 29% of CCGs said they did not yet know what commissioning support they would want from April 2013 onwards, suggesting high levels of uncertainty about the future arrangements.
Dr Charles Alessi, chair of the NAPC, said the findings showed many CCGs were still unclear about where they will source support post-authorisation.
Dr Alessi told Pulse: ‘We need to move towards CCGs being far more informed customers. It's important CCGs retain the ability to choose, from whatever sector.'
Dr Michael Dixon, chair of NHS Alliance, added that a significant proportion of CCGs need further advice and help on how best to secure support.
‘The Government's own vision is that, if commissioning is to be better, more efficient and create the NHS of the future, it needs to be done differently.
‘Therefore, it is concerning that 49% of CCGs lack confidence in clinical support organisations' leadership to deliver commissioning support in a new and innovative way.'
