Department of Health hopes funding for clinical commissioning groups will cut hospital admissions
Up to £100m in additional funding will be given to doctors in emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to improve services and reduce admissions to hospitals during the colder months, the Department of Health has announced.
The funding has been given by the department to enable prospective CCGs to implement measures which support their longer term plans to improve services for patients.
It is the first time that the department has identified funding for PCTs to delegate to prospective CCGs for patient care, although individual PCTs have been delegating elements of their commissioning funds to emerging CCGs and Pathfinders during 2011-12 as part of their development.
Clinicians in CCGs have been told they should spent the money on services such as more effective cover for urgent care services, improved out of hours services for patients, or extended GP practice opening times.
The health secretary, Andrew Lansley, highlighted the significance of the extra funding for CCGs.
"This is the first time emerging clinical commissioning groups – made up of GPs and other local clinical professionals – have been given money to spend on services for patients," he said. "This additional funding, available due to good management of the Department's central budgets, will harness the expertise of local clinicians who know better than anyone, what their patients need.
"Moving decision-making closer to patients will mean 'no decision about me without me' and ensures that patients receive the right care according to their individual needs. This more effective and efficient way of working will see savings reinvested in front line NHS care."
Dr Shane Gordon, chief executive of North East Essex CCG, added: "This funding will ensure that the quality and speed of health services in our area is maintained during the winter. As a local GP, I work with patients and colleagues in our clinical commissioning group; together we plan our health services to deliver the best possible care to our population. The extra funds are a welcome boost during a demanding part of the year".
In the first half of 2011-12, about £29bn had been delegated to CCGs to spend on providing services for patients through individual PCTs' commissioning funds as part of their development.
CCGs will have £2 per head of population made available to them via their primary care trust (PCT) cluster to spend this financial year. The Guardian
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