Engaging with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)

Compact VoiceJuly 2015

What is a Clinical Commissioning Group?

• Created by the Health and Social

Care Act 2012

• Responsible for commissioning

the majority of health services in

England – approx. 80% of the

healthcare budget / £66 billion in

2015/16

• Aim to promote a more joined up

and integrated approach to the

commissioning and delivery of

services

What is the CCGs role?

Duties when exercising functions include:

• Reduce inequalities

• Promote patient involvement

• Provide patient choice

• Promote innovation

• Promote the integration of health services

• Consult patients and the public at various specified stages of the commissioning process

Where are they?• 211 CCGs in England

• Each CCG typically covers between 150,000 and 300,000 patients each

• Do not align with local authority boundaries

• Interactive map available at: www.england.nhs.uk/resources/ccg-maps/

Structure of a CCGCommon features:

• Governing body to make key decisions

• All GP surgeries must be members of a CCG

• Locality structures which co-ordinate a group of practices within their area and report back to the CCG governing body

• Executive teams manage the day to day activities of the CCG

Photo courtesy of Keith Williamson via www.flickr.com

How CCGs fit into the commissioning landscape (1)• Health and wellbeing boards

– agree strategic priorities

– ensure commissioned services meet local needs

– statutory duty to encourage the integrated delivery of health and social care

– some have voluntary sector representation

• Healthwatch is the consumer champion in health and care Photo courtesy of www.medisave.co.uk via www.flickr.com

How CCGs fit into the commissioning landscape (2)• Commissioning Support Units

provide support for CCGs

• NHS England oversees CCGs and

commissions certain services

• Public Health England provides

support to local authorities and the

NHS

• Strategic clinical networks ensure a

strategic approach to care quality in

priority areas

• Clinical Senates provide strategic

advice to commissioners

Engaging with CCGs (1)• Have a clear idea of how the CCG is set up in your local area

and whether they are the appropriate body to engage with• Highlight the strengths of the

VCS:– Expertise– Social value– Innovation– Early action and prevention– Close connection to

marginalised groups

• Provide a coherent front

Engaging with CCGs (2)

• Help solve a problem the CCG cares about

• Provide evidence of the voluntary sector’s value

• Encourage the CCG to sign up to their local Compact

Case study: Bristol• CCG provided support to smaller voluntary organisations

who struggled to bid to provide services

• VCS provided assistance through briefings, networking events and support surgeries

• 11 voluntary organisations are in collaborations which hold Modernising Mental Health contracts with the CCG

Case study: Stockton grant funding project

• Health Improvements Initiative project

jointly funded by Hartlepool and

Stockton-on-Tees CCG and Stockton

Borough Council

• Charity Catalyst Stockton managed the

grant funding

• 27 bids were submitted and 14

organisations were successful in securing

funding

How the Compact can help (1) The Compact establishes a way of working for the benefit of all parties leading to:

• Independence and the right to campaign

• Consulting with charities when developing policies

• Supporting charities to deliver projects and services

• Understanding the impact of changes to funding and other forms of support

• Protecting and considering disadvantaged groups

How the Compact can help (2)Encourage CCG to:

• Provide high quality information accessible

• Publish and adhere to a commissioning and procurement plan which embeds social value

• provide grants where possible

• CCG to give regularly updates of ongoing budget discussions

• Work with the CCG to map the diversity of the local voluntary sector

Further Information

‘Practical Guide to engaging with Clinical Commissioning Groups’ and ‘Practical Guide to engaging with health and wellbeing boards’ www.compactvoice.org.uk/resources/briefings-and-guidance

Email Compact Voice for advice and support: compact@compactvoice.org.uk or visit the website www.compactvoice.org.uk

Photo courtesy of Mark Morgan via www.flickr.com