Clinical Senates have been established to be a source of independent, strategic advice and guidance to commissioners and other stakeholders to assist them to make the best decisions about healthcare for the populations they represent.

They are comprised of a core Clinical Senate Council and a wider Clinical Senate Assembly or Forum.

The Clinical Senate Assembly or Forum is a diverse multi-professional forum providing the Council with ready access to experts from a broad range of health and care professions. Membership of the Assembly or Forum will encompass the ‘birth to death’ spectrum of NHS care and will include patient representatives.

The Clinical Senate Council is a small multi-professional steering group. This group co-ordinates and manages the Senate’s business. It will maintain a strategic overview across their region and be responsible for the formulation and provision of advice working with the broader Senate Assembly or Forum.

There are 12 Clinical Senates across England:

• East of England
• East Midlands
• Greater Manchester and Eastern Cheshire
• London
• North West Coast
• Northern
• South East
• South West
• Thames Valley
• Wessex
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and the Humber

Resources

• Clinical senates: briefing pack – Clinical senates and the geographical areas they will cover.  Senates, comprised of clinicians, patients and other partners, will give advice to commissioners and providers in their area.
• The Way Forward – Clinical Senates
• Clinical Senates update – January 2013
• How do I become involved in or a member of my local Senate?