A clinical commissioning group has opted out of a regional strategic commissioning arrangement and another CCG has asked for more assurances before joining.
The “single strategic commissioner” arrangement for Kent and Medway could now include only six of the eight CCGs originally planned after Thanet pulled out and South Kent Coast GPs asked for more detail on local autonomy.
The accountable officer for the two CCGs, Hazel Smith, had already been announced as “director of partnerships” for the new commissioning body.
The single strategic commissioner arrangement was due to start in April.
In a statement Thanet CCG said it had “decided not to pursue a path to be a part of formal arrangements” for the commissioner. GPs on South Kent Coast CCG’s governing body have asked for more detailed information and the balance between working at scale and retaining local autonomy before making a decision on whether to join. A further meeting with them is being arranged.
The single strategic commissioner was seen as a potential pathway to a single CCG covering the entire county – although no decision has been made on this.
Article from HSJ, 2 March 2018