Lead CCG told to merge after being “red rated”
Released 16/01/2012
A flagship CCG has been given “red rating” by its SHA and told to merge if it is to be granted authorisation
Wirral NHS Alliance is a first wave pathfinder that covers six practices
A Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that includes the practice of the Department of Health’s (DH) national clinical commissioning lead has been “red rated” by its Strategic Health Authority.
As revealed by Pulse, Wirral NHS Alliance, a first wave pathfinder that covers six practices including Dr James Kingsland's, president of the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC), received a letter by NHS North West cluster saying that the SHA did not consider it as having met “current expected standards”.
Writing in Pulse, Dr Kingsland said he had been “surprised” by the SHA's decision.
“The SHA review deemed us as a ‘red rated' CCG based almost singularly on our geographic fit rather than considering our affinity or achievements to date,” he wrote.
“We have a vibrant clinical working group which has already begun to realign community nursing services with constituent practices, has decommissioned an unsuccessful service for patients with mild to moderate mental health problems and gone through a procurement exercise to appoint a new provider for these patients from a different region. We are also showing around a three per cent underspend,” he added.
A NHS North of England spokesperson told Pulse: “The risk assessments have been made against the specific tests outlined by the Department of Health, which have been developed as a result of the likely contents of the Health and Social Care Bill. Similar processes are happening across England.”
The 32,000-patient CCG is attempting to contest the decision.
“No evidence of failure”
Chairman of the NAPC’s Dr Charles Alessid has spoken out in defence of Kingsland and the CCG that he belongs to, stating: “This is yet another example of the degree of control, which is being exercised in relation to the configuration of CCGs. Ultimately, this can only bring about clinical disengagement and apathy, if the decision is not reversed, and damage the reform agenda.
“We here at NAPC are clear that CCGs need the autonomy to determine their constituent practices, while at the same time recognising the need to ensure the entire population of England is covered by such groups. These twin objectives need not cause any conflict, if handled judiciously.
“The CCG, which includes James’ practice, is vibrant and achieving, and is showing around a 3 per cent underspend, while at the same time markedly improving patient care. There is no evidence of failure here, only a challenge to managers with pens and maps. What matters, and what matters to the Secretary of State, is that the group is improving service provision in the Wirral at some speed, while managing its financial allocation prudently. NAPC totally supports the contest to this decision,” he said.
Dr Kingsland added: “The CCG is currently progressing discussions with the Strategic Health Authority cluster, with a view to reaching a successful solution fairly rapidly.
“NHS Wirral Alliance CCG is an enthusiastic, energetic, achieving CCG, with patients and patient care at the heart of its agenda. In my judgement, from my work around the country, this CCG is a highly motivated and high achieving group of practices and professionals, delivering the quality of care our patients deserve, and the government expects. This is very much an early success story in reform agenda.”
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