The authorisation process for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) remains on schedule, with the receipt this week of applications from CCGs in wave 3.

All 63 proposed CCGs in the third wave have submitted their applications to the NHS Commissioning Board, which is responsible for supporting the development of CCGs as they move through authorisation.

The authorisation process has been designed to ensure that CCGs are able to commission safely, use their budgets responsibly and exercise their functions to improve quality, reduce inequality and deliver improved outcomes.

The outcomes of wave 3 are due to be considered by the NHS Commissioning Board in February 2013, and the final wave of CCGs will submit their applications in November.

The full list of authorisation waves is available here.