Resources for CCGs

85 Responses to Resources for CCGs

1. David Owens says:

   28 March, 2012 at 10:40 am

   Particualrly in relation to the template contstitution and terms of reference, woudl it be possible to make these avaialble in Word format so that they can be edited to meet the needs of individual CCGs.

   regards
   • bjohnson says:

     28 March, 2012 at 1:23 pm

     Hi David, the particular documents you refer to are still in draft and subject to final legal clearance. Final editable versions will be published here very soon though, so please check back in a few days.
     • Lee Sutton says:

       27 April, 2012 at 11:42 am

       Good afternoon,

       I have read your posts with interest and clearly you have a deep understanding of CCG’s. As a leading independant insurance broker we have developed an insurance programme relevant to what we perceive to be the risks faced by these new bodies. We cannot see any provision made for insurance within the documents provided to date and wondered if you could let me have your comments. If you would be prepared to provide an offline email address we would be happy to share our developments with you. Kind regards, Lee Sutton.
       • bjohnson says:

         30 April, 2012 at 4:14 pm

         Hi Lee, thank you for your enquiry. Arrangements such as these will be the responsibility of individual CCGs to secure as they come into being.
2. Angela says:

   28 March, 2012 at 4:09 pm

   Hi, do you have a copy of the Model constitution in word format please.

   best wishes
   • bjohnson says:

     28 March, 2012 at 4:35 pm

     Hi Angela, as per the earlier response to David’s comment, the Model Constitution document is still in draft and subject to final legal clearance. We plan to publish an editable version very soon, when the document has been finalised, so please check back in a few days.
3. Barbara says:

   3 April, 2012 at 1:32 pm

   Are you intending to provide an appointment offer to help emerging CCGs recruit to the secondary care consultant and nurse roles on the Governing Body?
   • bjohnson says:

     13 April, 2012 at 10:38 am

     Hi Barbara,

     Whilst there are material differences between lay members and non-GP clinical members in terms of roles, the underpinning principles and good practice contained in the NHS Commissioning Board Authority Best Practice Resource Practical Toolkit (developed with lay members in mind) are in the main generic and therefore could be used as a basis for the non-GP clinical member appointments process.

     The Toolkit, (which includes a template specification for recruitment consultant support) is available on this website.

     The resource includes practical checklists and points to consider throughout the process from drawing up the role description through shortlisting, interview and appointment, as well as suggested templates for shortlisting, interview records and letters.

     The Royal College of Nursing will be happy to discuss support that they could offer to local CCG appointments panels for the registered nurse roles. (see contact details for each RCN regional office ).

     Your local SHA cluster Medical Director may be able to advise on the secondary care consultant role.

     I hope this information is helpful.
4. Ray Byfield says:

   4 April, 2012 at 2:55 pm

   Hi
   I understand your post about draft form but have you got a clearer picture of when an editable version will be available?

   Best wishes
   • bjohnson says:

     5 April, 2012 at 11:58 am

     Hi Ray, I belief the intention is to publish an editable version of the Model Constitution document by close of play today.
5. CEwing says:

   5 April, 2012 at 11:16 am

   Can you advise if this document will be available in word format before the Easter break.
   • bjohnson says:

     5 April, 2012 at 12:00 pm

     Hi, please see previous response – the intention is to publish an editable version of the Model Constitution document by close of play today.
6. John says:

   8 April, 2012 at 10:05 pm

   Re Governing Body appointments – can the nurse role be undertaken by a CCG employee?
   • bjohnson says:

     13 April, 2012 at 11:08 am

     Hi John, thanks for your question.

     There is no technical reason why not, in general terms, a nurse would not be able to fulfill the role of the registered nurse on the governing body, simply by virtue of being employed by the CCG. A CCG would want to ensure that any individual who they are considering for a role on their governing body is able to fulfil all of the requirements as set out in the core and specific role outlines in the document Clinical commissioning group governing body members: Role outlines, attributes and skills. For the registered nurse, this includes that they should have no conflicts of interest i.e. they should not be employed by any organisation from which the CCG secures any significant volume of provision. and that they should bring significant additional perspectives beyond primary care. Regulations are likely to provide that the nurse should not be a general practice employee.
7. Justina Jeffs says:

   10 April, 2012 at 10:06 am

   The model Constitution mentions the CCG SOs (pg 40 of the PDF version 23 March 2012). Is there a model being developed or is the expectation that each CCG will use the current NHS version (which is significantly out of date). This then leads me on to enquire whether there will be a full set of Governance Documentation templates developed (SFIs, Scheme of Delegation, Accountability Arrangements between CCG and NHS Commissioning Board etc)

   Thank you
   • bjohnson says:

     10 April, 2012 at 3:32 pm

     Hi Justina, in the editable version of the Model Constitution that was published towards the end of last week, SOs, Scheme of Delegation etc. have been included as appendices. It is up to CCGs whether they include these as part of their constitution or cover them elsewhere.
     • Barbara says:

       11 April, 2012 at 12:20 pm

       Can you tell us when the Regulations will be published? Can you also advise to whom we can direct questions of clarification concerning the specific content of the Model Constitution Framework
       • bjohnson says:

         13 April, 2012 at 7:27 am

         Hi Barbara, thanks for your questions. The regulations will be published in june and we’ve created a mailbox to answer queries. The email address is ccgdevelopment@nhs.net
8. Barbara says:

   18 April, 2012 at 7:37 am

   Can you confirm when the CCG HR guide will be available
   • bjohnson says:

     18 April, 2012 at 7:40 am

     Hi Barbara, the HR Guide for CCGs is due for release shortly, and will be published on the NHS CBA website.
9. Alison Lee says:

   27 April, 2012 at 9:12 am

   Hi, following on from HR guide comment above (18th April) can you confirm publication date. Barabara Hakin said on Tuesday it should be on the NHS CBA site this week? Thanks
   • bjohnson says:

     1 May, 2012 at 1:16 pm

     Hi Alison, the clinical commissioning groups HR guide and HR frequently asked questions (FAQs) were published on our Resources for CCGs page, earlier today.
10. Linda Tully says:

    2 May, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Re: Governing Body appointments – I would be grateful if someone could please advise whether the nurse and secondary care doctor have to be a member with full voting rights or can they be “in attendance”?
    many thanks
    • bjohnson says:

      4 May, 2012 at 10:14 am

      Hi Linda, as set out in the guidance Towards Establishment the secondary care doctor and registered nurse are full members of the CCGs governing body.

      In terms of ‘voting’ as chapter 7 clarifies, the member practices need to come together to determine how they wish to operate and set this out in their constitution.

      The Role Outlines, attributes and skills document, sets out the additional specific role outlines for all members of the governing body. You may find this extract useful :

      ‘As a member of the CCG’s governing body each individual will share responsibility as part of the team to ensure that the CCG exercises its functions effectively, efficiently, economically, with good governance and in accordance with the terms of the CCG constitution as agreed by its members. Each individual is there to bring their unique perspective, informed by their expertise and experience. This will support decisions made by the governing body as a whole’

      I hope this helps.
11. Anon says:

    8 May, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Hello all

    Is an update of the CCG Functions doucment going to be published on the website?

    Many thanks,
    Dean
    • bjohnson says:

      24 May, 2012 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Dean, thanks for your question. A revised Functions document plus a fact-sheet are currently being planned. We anticipate that these will be available in mid-June.

      The fine details will be confirmed in the revised edition, however, in the meantime the functions document of March 2011 (entitled the Functions of GP Commissioning Consortia) is still relevant.
12. Pete says:

    9 May, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Can anyone explain this from the CCG FAQs (point 12)
    It also needs to be made clear that staff who transfer under TUPE / COSOP to CCGs will not receive redundancy payments.
    • bjohnson says:

      22 June, 2012 at 8:23 am

      Hi Pete, thanks for your comment and apologies for the delay in our response.

      Staff who transfer to CCGs in line with the requirements of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) and / or the Cabinet Office Staff Transfers in the Public Sector Statement of Practice (COSOP) guidance will not receive a redundancy payment as their continuity of employment will be protected and remain unbroken by the transfer.

      Please let us know if you had a specific question about the role of the governing body (point 12 in the CCG FAQ).
13. Jo says:

    15 May, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Is there any guidance on what is expected for the draft JHWS given that the national timeline for developing local strategies is significantly behind the authorisation process?
    • Sarah Pudney@NHS CBA says:

      21 May, 2012 at 10:15 am

      Hi Jo and thanks for your question.

      There are no set deadlines for developing preparatory Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies (JHWSs) ahead of April 2013 when the legal duties commence. However, as CCG commissioning plans must have regard to JHWSs, discussions within health and wellbeing boards will need to have taken place before CCGs apply for authorisation.

      The document ‘Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and joint health and wellbeing strategies explained’ published in December 2011 here (http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_131702) lays out an indicative timeline which health and wellbeing boards may want to consider during 2012/13. This shows that it may be useful to have jointly agreed local priorities by April 2012, and a preparatory JHWS by May 2012 to underpin all local commissioning plans as they are developed.

      JHWSs are defined by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as being a strategy for meeting the needs included in JSNAs for the area. In practice this means looking at the evidence in JSNAs of the greatest needs in the area, and using these to agree across the health and wellbeing board, which should be tackled as a priority both in individual commissioning plans and through collective action. As they must be published they are also a mechanism for health and wellbeing boards to show their communities what issues they are prioritising, why, and how they came to this decision. Emerging health and wellbeing boards say that they consider it good practice to have a small number of jointly agreed priorities, owned by the whole health and wellbeing board, that focus on issues they can all take action on to really make an impact and improve outcomes for their community.

      Statutory guidance on JSNAs and JHWSs is currently being developed – an earlier draft was published for engagement, and although this period has now closed the draft may still be useful to inform JSNA and JHWS processes. It can be found on the DH modernisation website here (http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/draft-guidance).

      The National Learning Network for health and wellbeing boards has an online community on the Knowledge Hub. Once registered, you can access news, information, calendar dates, resources and forum discussions, including live Q&As (one of which has focussed on JSNAs and JHWBs).
      Please register here: http://www.knowledgehub.local.gov.uk

      I hope this is helpful.
14. Louise Rickitt says:

    29 May, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I’m currently working on a draft constitution. We wish to include a description of the partnership arrangements in place with our local council, but these are subject to change. If these were set out in an appendix to the constitution rather than the main document, would it be possible for the CCG to amend the appendix in the future without having to apply to the NHS Commissioning Board for approval?
    • Sarah Pudney@NHS CBA says:

      6 June, 2012 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Louise. Thanks for your question. We would suggest this information is placed in an accompanying document. If included in an appendix, any changes would have to be approved by the NHS Commissioning Board.

      The model constitution, which reflects legislation, states:

      1.4 Amendment and Variation of this Constitution
      1.4.1 This constitution can only be varied in two circumstances.
      a) where the group applies to the NHS Commissioning Board and that application is granted;
      b)where in the circumstances set out in legislation the NHS Commissioning Board varies the group’s constitution other than on application by the group.

      I hope this is helpful.
15. Adrian Lambourne says:

    31 May, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Can you advise when/ where the Commissioing Outcomes Framework indicators are being published – albeit in draft from.
    The November pulicication said

    April 2012: the full set of draft indicators being developed for potential inclusion in the Framework will be published.

    If already out, can you advise where they can be accessed.
    Thanks
    • Sarah Pudney@NHS CBA says:

      8 June, 2012 at 8:28 am

      Hi Adrian. Thanks for your question. NICE published details of all the potential measures that they were considering on 1 February for a month’s consultation. Therefore we thought that it would be confusing to re-publish this list in April given that NICE were still considering the results of their consultation at that stage.

      NICE’s independent advisory committee met on 21-22 May to consider the results of the consultation and testing. NICE are planning to publish their recommendations on 1 August 2012. NICE’s role is advisory and it will be for the NHS Commissioning Board to determine the final shape of the Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF) in discussion with stakeholders. The NHS CB is aiming to publish the final set of comparative outcome measures for 2013/14 in Autumn 2012.
16. Phil says:

    31 May, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Locally CCGs have been told they are not allowed to trade with each other (i.e. host management services which are shared but which would require an invoice from one organisation to the other) – or at least if we did this we would be viewed as a provider of commissioning support.

    This would seem to run contrary to the guidance in Towards Establishment which explicitly refers to sharing of services across CCGs

    The CCGs have no aim to run a CSS (indeed they will purchase some aspects of support from a CSS) but rather it is two (or more) like minded CCGs seeking to share expertise in certain functions where they often face the same organsations but wghere they would keep closrer control in line with the risks, with it potentially being easier for them to sit in one of the CCGs (for example contracting) – and that this should not be prejudical to authorisation or be treated as a CSS.

    Could you confirm the guidance around CCGs sharing management support with each other please – and whether there is any de minimus we are expected to purchase from a CSS if we are not proposing to go it alone.
    • Sarah Pudney@NHS CBA says:

      7 June, 2012 at 8:48 am

      Hi Phil. Thats a really good question, and one that we will gladly look into. We are asking for advice and hope to have an answer for you by next week.
    • glisle says:

      19 June, 2012 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you for your query, and apologies for the delay in responding. Our response would be as follows:

      Two or more CCGs may make arrangements for one CCG to exercise functions on their behalf, or to exercise functions jointly. In support of this, CCGs may make payments to another clinical commissioning group, or make the services of its employees or any other resources available to another clinical commissioning group, or establish a pooled fund, made up of contributions by the groups.

      What a CCG is not able to do is to raise income through supplying services, except where it was providing instruction for any person, or as part of its development and exploitation of ideas and intellectual property (they could also acquire, produce, manufacture and supply goods, and acquire or manage land, but these are less relevant in this case).

      As you note, you are looking to share management arrangements, as opposed to jointly seeking to set up ‘commissioning support services’ and it may be helpful to make that distinction.
17. Farrah Jaura says:

    8 June, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I’m looking for the “Functions of Clinical Commissioning Groups: a working document” document. I can’t seem to find it anywhere.

    Can anyone direct me to it or forward a copy?
    • glisle says:

      15 June, 2012 at 3:31 pm

      Hi Farrah, The “Functions of Clinical Commissioning Groups: a working document” document has now been updated to reflect the final Health and Social Care Bill and has been replaced by The Functions of Clinical Commission Groups document.
18. Finbar Gibbons says:

    11 June, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Hi,

    Just wondering as and when (roughly) a list of contact details for each CCG will be available. I understand that the process of appointing members is ongoing, but an indication would be really helpful.

    Best regards,

    Finbar Gibbons
    • glisle says:

      10 July, 2012 at 9:14 am

      All prospective CCGs can currently be contacted via the PCT cluster within which they operate. As each wave of prospective CCGs goes through the formal authorisation process, we will publish their contact details. Details of the PCT cluster that CCGs operate within can be found on our Resources for CCGs page under CCG Configuration.
19. Natalie Dow says:

    12 June, 2012 at 8:06 am

    Hi, I wondered if there was a confirmed date for when the guidance on managerial AO and CFO pay will be released. Many of the CCG’s I am supporting are already out to advert saying ‘awaiting national guidance’ and others have now got as far as selecting a preferred candidate but can not make a clear offering to them as they want to ensure they are in keeping with the guidance. This is especially important for for those in Wave 1.

    Many thanks in advance
    • glisle says:

      15 June, 2012 at 2:56 pm

      Hi Natalie, the guidance on managerial AO and CFO remuneration was release yesterday and can be found here: CCG remuneration guidance
20. Tim Sadler says:

    27 June, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Future changes to our constiution will require approval. At various places in model documents it is stated or implied that standing orders, scheme of reservation and delegation, prime financial policies and the terms of reference of any committees of the group or governing body are to be treated as if incorporated into the constitution. To what exactly will the need for Board approval to changes apply: this whole set of documents, only the constitution document itself and not any appendices, the consitution and only those appendices actucally included in the model version (ie not the commiteee terms of reference as well) ?
    • glisle says:

      5 July, 2012 at 9:17 am

      CCGs will have to ensure as a minimum that their constitution meets the requirements set out in the Health and Social Care Act and subsequent regulations. It is up to CCGs whether they include Standing Orders and similar information as part of their constitution (some CCGs may choose to do so as part of meeting the legal requirements of a CCG constitution) or cover them elsewhere in a separate document. If included as an appendix, any changes would have to be approved by the NHS Commissioning Board as a CCG’s constitution can only be varied in two circumstances.

      -where the group applies to the NHS Commissioning Board and that application is granted; or

      -where in the circumstances set out in legislation the NHS Commissioning Board varies the group’s constitution other than on application by the group.
21. Ray Avery says:

    9 July, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Code of Conduct – Managing conflicts of interest where GP Practices are potential providers of CCG commissioned services.

    I understood from previous guidance that CCGs were to be continually assessed aganst the Nolan Principles, for example:

    •Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

    •Integrity – Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

    I also thought that CCGs are membership organisations which devolve decision making power to their board via their constitution.

    Therefore is not any decision about spending public funds with any of its members by its board, (to whom they have delegated authority to), a perceived and potential conflict of interest? And thus one that should not be taken by them as it may financially benefit their members.

    I fully recognise the need for the CCG to take decisons locally about the healthcare services required to meet the needs of the communites they serve. They should set the strategic direction for health, agree care pathways etc. and identify the services required. But where their members could be a provider the procurement process for those services must then be conducted independently.

    Over recent years we have seen significant failings in ‘self-regulation’ regimes – why build one in at design stage? The NHS Commissioning Board could run these procurements for CCGs. this will bring benefits such as to stop any potential conflicts; and to bring national consistency through its single operting framework.

    Is it too late to take a different approach?

    This is not about the intergity of those involved in CCGs it is about providing sufficient and proportionate safeguards for both them in their roles and for the public purse.
    • glisle says:

      30 July, 2012 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you for your comments, now passed to the relevant team for future consideration. The current position is as set out in the annex 1 of Towards Establishment and the recently released Code of Conduct

      I trust this is helpful.
22. Ali says:

    11 July, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Hello,

    I would like to know how the GP recriutment proces will work when the CCG’s come into place. Also would the CCG play a part in the recuriment processes for GP surgeries.
    Please can you let me know.
    • glisle says:

      20 July, 2012 at 10:13 am

      Hi Ali. GP recruitment will remain a matter for the individual practice once CCGs are established. Recruitment of GPs to indiviual practices is not a CCG responsibility.
23. damien kay says:

    13 July, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Hi

    I am seeking clarification on the process for appointment of Chairs to CCGs. We have already gone through a process of election for GP Chairs to local CCGs via member practices, each shadow chair has gone through the national assessment process and for shadow CCG status was interviewed via the PCT Cluster.

    Is there anything formal that needs to take place to allow these posts to move from interim to substantive (designate)?

    thanks for your advice
    • glisle says:

      30 July, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      Apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

      We can confirm that CCGs are in a position to confirm interim chairs of governing body roles as designate having completed the procedure you have described – and in line with the approval that they have agreed with their members.

      You might also like to note that they are not substantive until the CCG is fully established.
24. Tracy says:

    18 July, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I cannot seem to find the Local Enhanced Services fact sheet which is said to be on this page according to the CCG and transition bulletins? could you provide details of where these can be found please?

    Also could you confirm when the updated role outlines document will be available here please?
    • glisle says:

      19 July, 2012 at 9:24 am

      Hi Tracy. The factsheet that you are looking for is located under the Primary Care Commissioning section on this page. Here is the direct link to the factsheet. With regards to the updated roles outlines document; I’ll find out when this is to be updated.
      • glisle says:

        19 July, 2012 at 10:07 am

        Hi Tracy. The updated roles document can be found under CCG governance.
25. Mike T says:

    24 July, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Query on membership of CCG Audit Committees: The Chair, AO, CFO & COO clearly cannot be members of a CCG’s Audit Committee due to their executive/management responsibilities. Apart from the two non-executive Lay members however, can any other members of the CCG be deemed sufficiently independent to sit on the Audit Committee? Is a committee of just 2 members acceptable (as good practice elsewhere in the NHS would normally require 3 members & quoram of 2?)
    • glisle says:

      2 August, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      Hi Mike, thank you for your question.

      CCGs are able to appoint to roles in addition to those required by The National Health Service (Clinical Commissioning Group) Regulations 2012. The current legislative framework sets out the requirement to have at a least two statutory lay members on the governing body, but a CCG could choose to have more lay members and may make provision for the appointment of other individuals in its constitution.

      You are also able to appoint individuals to the audit committee who are not members of the governing body, and this could include individuals in a lay capacity. The intention was that CCGs should have flexibility in terms of the membership of the audit committee, to allow them to bring in expertise as necessary.

      You may find it helpful to refer to the document Towards Establishment
26. Nigel Roderick says:

    21 August, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Hi,

    I have been asked to clarify a matter in relation to lay members on the CCG governing Body and hope you can help. Specifically, whether the regulations disqualify councillors [especially district and parish councillors] from being lay members.

    I understand from the August 2012 FAQ v.2.0 update [FAQ 6.1.2] that “Councillors” [members of a local authority] are disqualified from being on the governing body.

    Schedule 4 Regulation 12 (5) does not list councillors [members of a local authority] amongst those individuals excluded from being lay members on the CCG Governing Bodies.

    Schedule 5 Regulation 12 (6) does however disqualify councillors from membership of CCG governing bodies.

    Does the term “member of a local authority” [Councillor] refer to all councilors including district and parish/town councillors?. I ask this because, Health and Wellbeing Boards and commissioning of Healthwatch, developing the JSNA are responsibilities of upper tier councils [County and Unitary] and not by District and Parish/ Town Councils.

    Hope you can help.

    kind regards,

    Nigel
    • Simon@NHS CBA says:

      7 September, 2012 at 8:42 am

      Hi Nigel
      Thank you for your question and taking the time to contact us.

      For the purposes of these regulations, members of a local authority means councillors from upper tier (county), lower tier (District) councils and unitary councils. Members of these authorities are excluded from being lay members of CCGs. Parish and Community Councils are not considered to be local authorities in the law, so members of parish councils are not excluded from being lay members of CCGs.

      Kind regards
      Simon
27. damien kay says:

    23 October, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    Please can you clarify whether CCGs can undertake commissioning activity for Public Health once they have transferred to the Local Authority – a particular example would be sexual health for instance?

    Any help you can provide would be gratefully received.

    regards

    Damien Kay
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      24 October, 2012 at 12:41 pm

      Hi Damien
      Thank you for your comment. The Functions of Clinical Commissioning Groups document sets out the commissioning responsibilities for CCGs and Local Authorities.

      Kind regards
      Simon
28. Kelvin says:

    28 October, 2012 at 6:42 am

    Is there a set structure to a CCG? i.e. how many people make up a CCG and is there any provision for members of the public to be represented?
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      31 October, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      Hi Kelvin
      Thank you for your question. There is no set structure to a CCG but it needs to comply with all statutory requirements, including those relating to the composition of the governing body. These requirements include specific provision for lay members on the governing body. An overview of commissioning development can be found in our Key Facts document, and more detailed information is available in our CCG Resources area.

      Kind regards
      Simon
29. Mike Ringe says:

    30 October, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Hi

    Re CCG Member Practice’s Represenatives and their deputies, can you confirm that both the formal practice represenative and their deputy both have to be clincial health professionals (i.e. GPs or nurses etc) or could the deputy represenative be a practice manager (or another non clinical practice represenative).

    Thanks
    Mike
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      31 October, 2012 at 5:46 pm

      Hi Mike
      Thank you for your query. Each individual CCG’s Constitution sets out the relationship between Member Practices and the Governing Body. It is at the CCG’s own discretion on whether the practice representative and their deputy should be from a clinical background or not.

      Kind regards
      Simon
30. Jonathan McInerny says:

    5 December, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Hi

    I am looking for some guidance on remuneration for CCG Board, subcommittee and clinical lead members – i.e. what they should be able to invoice for, and what they can’t, but also what information (and the level of detail) they should be putting in their invoices.

    thanks

    Jonathan
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      12 December, 2012 at 4:55 pm

      Hi Jonathan
      Thank you for your comment. Once the CCG becomes a statutory body it will have the ability to ratify its own terms & conditions, and ratify salaries with the individuals appointed to these posts via their remuneration committee. We have published the document CCG governing bodies: Role outlines, attributes and skills and here you will find a section (Annex 2) on principles relating to reimbursement and remuneration for governing bodies. CCGs may find these useful in their local discussions.

      CCGs will wish to ensure that they comply with HMRC rules relating to employment status. We also published on our website a briefing provided by RMS Tenon which highlights key points to take into consideration and the matter of employment status was covered in Barbara Hakin’s webinar on Tuesday 11/12/12, a recording of which will be added to the CCG Resources page when it’s available.

      Kind regards
      Simon

      Simon
      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board
31. Tahmina Begum says:

    14 December, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Hi,

    We have come across a copy of “Standards for members of NHS boards and Clinical Commissioning Group governing bodies in England” produced by the Professionals Standards Authority.

    Are CCGs required to ensure these standards are implemented in their Governing Bodies?

    Thanks

    Tahmina
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      17 December, 2012 at 11:27 am

      Hi Tahmina
      Thank you for your comment. Members of a CCG governing body are expected to comply with the standards, which were published in November of this year.

      Kind regards
      Simon

      Simon
      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board
32. Doug Luscombe says:

    18 December, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    Is this new quango replacing anything or is it just another load of admin costs piled onto the already top heavy backroom costs of the NHS?
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      19 December, 2012 at 5:34 pm

      Hi Doug
      Thank you for your comment. Please see the About us page and other sections of this website for information about the NHS Commissioning Board, it’s work and it’s purpose.

      If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to ask.

      Kind regards
      Simon

      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board
33. Doug Luscombe says:

    20 December, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Hi Simon
    I’ve waded through some of the stuff am I right in thinking the Department of Health,Strategic Health Authorities and PCT are being abolished and taken over by this new quango. I did note an awful lot of high sounding titles no doubt accompanied by equally high salaries. My question remains is this more admin costs or less than the present system? If some of the other existing bits are being abolished are admin staff overall being reduced or merely transferred hopefully without paying redundancy and then re employing?
    Regards
    Doug
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      21 December, 2012 at 12:34 pm

      Hi Doug
      Thank you for your comment. Following the Health and Social Care Act 2012, most NHS services will be commissioned by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). The NHS Commissioning Board will authorise clinical commissioning groups, allocate resources, and commission certain services, such as primary care.

      The development of the NHS Commissioning Board will result in approximately 50% less spent on running costs and 60% fewer highly-paid executives across the commissioning system. There have been reductions in senior managers as a result of the abolition of PCTs and SHAs, with the introduction of a clinically-led commissioning, and the streamlining of regional and local management through the NHS CB’s regional and area teams.

      Kind regards
      Simon

      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board
      • John Washington says:

        7 January, 2013 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Simon

        With regards to your statement that “approximately 50% less spent on running costs and 60% fewer highly-paid executives across the commissioning system” do you have a breakdown to illustrate this. ie what were the costs in the old system and with what organisations (PCT/SHA etc) compared with the new commissioning system,? From what I’m seeing on the ground is that these staff and costs are merely being transferred to new organisations and if anything I’m witnessing an increase in managers.

        Thanks
      • Michael Hunt says:

        8 January, 2013 at 10:51 am

        I have a question regarding your recent reply to Doug stating “The development of the NHS Commissioning Board will result in approximately 50% less spent on running costs and 60% fewer highly-paid executives across the commissioning system.”

        Could you provide a breakdown of how these percentages were calculated and which organisations they apply to?

        Thanks
      • Simon@NHS CB says:

        9 January, 2013 at 3:11 pm

        Hi
        Thank you for your comments. The number of staff may change again as our design work continues, however, we can confirm that staffing costs under the reformed system will still be dramatically lower than under the previous system. Even taking into account the other new national support bodies, the number of very senior managers across the NHS will be around half the number we had under the old system of PCTs and SHAs.

        In 2008, before PCTs and SHAs clustered in preparation for the reforms, there were a total of 972 VSMs in PCTs and SHAs: more than double the number expected in the reformed system, at a cost of around £88 million. Earlier this year, there were 682 VSMs across clustered PCTs and SHAs: more than one and a half times the number expected in the reformed system, at a cost of around £64 million.

        Altogether, the DH estimated last year that there will be approximately 328 VSMs across all arm’s length bodies, however, this figure is likely to change as the new ALBs finalise their organisational structures. The NHS CB has 222 very senior manager (VSM) posts across its national, regional and area teams, 37 of whom have clinical roles, along with a further 68 clinical posts on medical and dental terms.

        Kind regards
        Simon

        Digital Communications Officer
        NHS Commissioning Board
        • Michael Hunt says:

          15 January, 2013 at 1:18 pm

          Would you be able to provide any details of how you got to the 50% in the statement you previously made “…“The development of the NHS Commissioning Board will result in approximately 50% less spent on running costs ..”.

          Please confirm if your figures include running costs of CCGs, CSU and NHSCB for a true comparison.

          Thanks
          • Simon@NHS CB says:

            18 January, 2013 at 4:30 pm

            Hi Michael
            Thank you for your comment. The calculations do include the running costs of the NHS Commissioning Board, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and commissioning support units (CSUs).

            CSUs will be commissioned by CCGs and the NHS CB to provide administration and other ancillary services. CCGs and the NHS CB will use their running costs allowances to pay for these services whilst ensuring that total running costs are contained within the total running cost allowance.

            Kind regards
            Simon

            Digital Communications Officer
            NHS Commissioning Board
34. Lynne Carter says:

    4 January, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    I have a query about CCG’s statutory duties under the Equality Act. I had assumed that because CCGs will become stautory bodies on 1st April 2013, the specific duty to publish information on 31st January 2013 would still be the responsibility of PCTs (and pass to CCGs in 2014). Is that correct?

    Many thanks
    Lynne
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      7 January, 2013 at 3:27 pm

      Hi Lynne
      Thank you for your comment. That is correct, CCGs will be required to publish information from 31 January 2014.
      Kind regards
      Simon

      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board
35. marie Chappell says:

    24 January, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I refer to the document “Arrangements to secure children’s and adult safeguarding in the future NHS: the new accountability and assurance framework – interim adive.”

    The East Riding of YorkshireSafeguarding Adult Board met yesterday 23rd Jun 2013 and discussed how we now secure NHSCB representation on the Board, and who this will be.
    The document states……”the NHS CB will have a statutory duty to be members of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) and Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs)…..”

    Please can you inform me how I should go about securing NHS CB membership on the Board, who this will be and the most appropriate method of liaising with them?

    Regards
    Marie
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      28 January, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      Hi Marie
      Thank you for your comment. This will be done through local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), so you will need to contact your local CCG directly. You can use our CCG maps to find your local clinical commissioning group.

      Kind regards
      Simon

      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board
36. Damien kay says:

    25 January, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Hi

    Pls can you confirm that the require title for ccg accountable officers are as follows:

    Chief officer (manager appointment)
    Chief clinical officer (clinical appointment)

    As I understand it the words accountable officer don’t feature in either role title.

    Thanks,

    Damien
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      25 January, 2013 at 12:38 pm

      Hi Damien
      Thank you for your comment. The accountable officer is a role on the governing body, the same as Chair or chief financial officer. You find full details of the key roles in a CCG leadership team in section 7 (pp 21/22) of the document FAQS for Towards Establishment.

      Kind regards
      Simon
37. Marie Chappell says:

    30 January, 2013 at 8:26 am

    Further to my question posted on 24th Jan regarding NHSCB membership of Adult Safeguarding Boards and your response, we have had a further discussion about the Local Area Team being represented. Are you still of the opinion that our local CCG should make the approach to the LAT rather than a member of the Safeguarding Board?

    Regards
    Marie
    • Simon@NHS CB says:

      31 January, 2013 at 11:38 am

      Hi Marie
      Thank you for your email. If would you like area team representation, a member of the Safeguarding Board can contact your local area team to facilitate this.

      Kind regards
      Simon

      Digital Communications Officer
      NHS Commissioning Board