Developing the long term plan for the NHS: NHS Clinical Commissioners' response to NHS England's consultation
CCGs face a number of barriers when integrating across system and place. NHSCC has therefore produced 5 ‘asks’ to better support integration.
Our response draws on feedback from our membership, as well as learning from our previous publications Steering towards strategic commissioning and Making strategic commissioning work.
Also included in an appendix is our specific response on the topic of mental health, which has been informed by input from NHSCC’s Mental Health Commissioners Network.
In our response we highlighted the following key points:
- In the context of system working, the expertise and contribution of clinical commissioning must be maintained. Clinical leadership must remain embedded in decision making.
- CCGs face a number of barriers when integrating across system and place. NHSCC has therefore produced 5 ‘asks’ to better support integration. These asks cover topics of: responsibility to improve health and health outcomes; regulation and assurance; payment reform; accountability and governance; and procurement, competition and choice.
- Given the changing landscape, we hope the long term plan provides a clear direction for system architecture – this will help CCGs progress their role as strategic commissioners.
- Our members are keen to ensure that governance arrangements are fit for purpose within systems, and to also shape the future policy direction of key areas such as mental health and primary care.
We also raised a number of issues specific to the consideration of mental health within the long term plan. Top priorities include:
- Funding that is sustainable and well invested.
- A transformation of children and young people’s services to focus on prevention and early intervention.
- A focus on core community services.
