Internal medicine

Internal medicine is one of six National Programmes of Care (NPoCs) overseeing the commissioning of specialised and highly specialised services.

The role of the NPoC is to provide leadership and oversight of the development and delivery of a comprehensive work programme that achieves demonstrable improvements in the quality, equity, value and outcomes of commissioned specialised services.

The Internal Medicine NPoC covers defined specialised and highly specialised services related to digestion (colorectal), renal (kidney), hepatobiliary (liver and pancreas) and the circulatory system (heart, lungs and vascular). As well as specialised medical services in skin, endocrinology and rheumatology, Internal Medicine also includes the majority of the solid organ transplant services.

The Internal Medicine NPoC consists of an NPoC Board and nine clinical reference groups (CRGs) as follows:

CRGs provide clinical advice and leadership on the specialised services across the Internal Medicine portfolio. These groups of clinicians, commissioners, public health experts, patients and carers, use their specific knowledge and expertise to advise NHS England on the best ways that specialised services should be provided.

CRGs lead on the development of clinical commissioning policies, service specifications and quality standards. They also provide advice on innovation, horizon scanning, service reviews and guide work to reduce variation and deliver increased value. CRGs, through their Patient and Public Voice (PPV) members, also help ensure that any changes to the commissioning of specialised services involve patients and the public.

Chair and membership of the Internal Medicine NPoC work programme assurance

  • Chair: Dr Richard Fluck, National Clinical Director
  • Yasmin Stammers, National Programme of Care Senior Manager
  • Matthew Groom, Programme of Care Regional Director of Commissioning
  • Dr Chris Tibbs, Programme of Care Regional Medical Director
  • Ian Gall, Programme of Care Patient and Public Voice Representative
  • Eni Bankole-Race, Programme of Care Patient and Public Voice Representative
  • Ian Wren, National Programme of Care Manager
  • Kathy Blacker, National Programme of Care Manager
  • Lydia Ball, National Programme of Care Manager
  • Sarah Watson, National Highly Specialised Commissioner
  • Angeline Walker, Programme of Care Public Health member
  • Helen Potter, Programme of Care Pharmacist member
  • Susanna Allen, Programme of Care Pharmacist member

Get involved

If you are interested in the work of the Internal Medicine NPOC or its CRGs, you can register as a stakeholder. For details on our latest consultations please visit NHS England » Consultations

Get in contact

For any questions or queries relating to the work of the Internal Medicine NPOC or any or its CRGs, please contact: england.npoc-internalmedicine@nhs.net