NHS Bury CCG
Dr. Kiran Patel, Chair of NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) (photograph courtesy of the Bury Times).
As part of national plans to reform the NHS, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have been replaced by new organisations known as Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) from 1st April 2013.
These plans are set out in the Health and Social Care Act. The Act paved the way for GPs and other local clinicians to have a greater influence on how the NHS budget is spent. There is also be a new NHS Commissioning Board which has overseen the process.
In Bury there is one CCG known as NHS Bury CCG, representing all 33 GP practices in the town.
What these changes mean for you
Your GP Practice has joined NHS Bury CCG as a member practice. NHS Bury CCG is responsible for planning and paying for services within the area. This includes planned hospital care such as operations, rehabilitation services, urgent and emergency care and most community services.
GPs and other clinicians also be responsible for engaging with local people to ensure that the services they are paying for meet your needs. NHS Bury CCG has appointed a ‘Patients’ Champion’ who chairs a Patients' Cabinet, to represent the views of local patients and the public.
A new consumer body called HealthWatch England has been set up which will support local HealthWatch bodies which replace the Local Involvement Networks (LINks). The local HealthWatch is responsible for promoting public engagement in health services, commenting on changes to local services, act as advocates for complaints, deliver advice services across health and social care and have the power to view and enter health care services.
Monitor's role is being expanded to become the licensing body for all providers in terms of ensuring their finance and governance standards are of sufficiently high standard.
The Care Quality Commission will determine clinically whether an organisation's licence is granted.
Click here to find out more about NHS Bury CCG and progress to date.