A letter written by the PCT Network director David Stout on the future of commissioning has been published in the latest edition of the Health Service Journal (HSJ). The edition was dated 24 June. The letter is in response to a previous article in HSJ which reported on plans to ‘strip back’ PCT responsibilities. You can read David's letter in full below.
Dear Sir,
PCTs are under no illusions about the scale of change they can expect in the coming years. But implementation of radical new policies needs careful handling.
The comments made by unnamed Department of Health sources seem unnecessarily alarmist. At a time when we need really skilful leadership, this is particularly disappointing.
PCTs have a critical role to play over the next couple of years. Not only do they need to support the transition to GP-led commissioning but they also need to deliver the most ambitious NHS productivity programme in living memory. A failure to deliver QIPP while GP-led commissioning is established would place the new government’s plans for the NHS in significant jeopardy.
PCT leaders are already working closely with their GP colleagues to build the foundations for a new model of clinically-led commissioning and ensure the existing system manages future financial pressures effectively. It is essential that we avoid a talent drain from PCTs over the next two years as now more than ever we need strong leadership at a local level.
David Sout
Director, PCT Network
You can view the original HSJ article on the HSJ website.
Further information
For further information on this story or for other media enquiries, please contact Francesca Reville, senior media relations officer, NHS Confederation at francesca.reville@nhsconfed.org.