18 July 2011

Clinical Commissioning: Securing Better Outcomes for the NHS and its Patients

The NHS Alliance, in partnership with NAPC, has published today a discussion paper, Clinical commissioning: securing better outcomes for the NHS and its patients.

The paper explains how clinical commissioning holds the key to tackle the three major challenges facing the NHS in England over the next five years – improve the health of the population; reduce health inequalities, and create a service that delivers better services to patients whilst achieving ambitious efficiency savings.

Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, said:

"This discussion is extremely important. Clinicians are in the best position to lead through the changes that will make the NHS not only sustainable, but also able to deliver better care for our patients.

“Clinical commissioners have a crucial role to play in ensuring that care is integrated and delivered in the community, with great input of local people and patients. Also, by working to overcome the barriers between the NHS and social care, they will be able to provide patients with better, seamless and more accessible care.”

Dr Johnny Marshall, NAPC chair, said:

“In order to meet the challenges that the NHS faces clinical commissioners need to lead a cultural change across the NHS in which we all accept that we have a collective responsibility to deliver the best possible health outcomes for the populations we serve from the resources available. Whatever uncertainty there is yet to come, clinical commissioners must seize this opportunity to lead the NHS in doing what is right for our patients, their carers, their families and the public. We must not let ourselves be deflected from that.”

Notes:

  1. NHS Alliance brings together GP consortia, PCTs, clinicians and managers as the leading organisation in primary care. We are an independent non-political membership organisation proud to be at the forefront of clinically-led commissioning. Its leaders are all dedicated professionals, who represent the Alliance’s diverse membership, working ceaselessly to meet the challenges facing the NHS today. Find out more at www.nhsalliance.org
  2. The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) is a non-political, non-profit-making organisation representing and supporting the interests of all its members, both individuals and organisations working in or with primary care.  It also offers support through associate membership to those bodies, which provide services to primary care or have other health-related interests. Find out more at www.napc.co.uk
  3. For more information, please email pressoffice@nhsalliance.org or call 07772 756674.