New Health & Care Bill will gag local voices
A major loss of local accountability and control, coupled with a massive expansion of centralised powers, and the danger of … Read more
CCGs
The dying days of local NHS accountability
Believe it or not, we are in the last days of relative transparency and local accountability in England’s NHS. It … Read more
Bleak prospects for troubled ICSs
Even before they gain any statutory powers some Integrated Care Systems are facing major problems, while others are concealing them … Read more
NHS short of over £1bn for Covid second wave and onset of winter
The Guardian reports that the NHS has been given in excess of £1bn less than it needs to tackle the … Read more
Why campaigners object to CCG mergers
The merger of CCGs has been contested locally in many areas, primarily because the loss of more local CCGs further … Read more
CCGs caught short-changing mental health services
Several Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have been found to have made false claims about how much they have spent on … Read more
CCGs deficits revealed, prompting fears of a fresh financial squeeze
As the remaining 135 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) throughout England begin to hold virtual meetings in public and publish Governing Body papers … Read more
NHS changes made under the radar
Two weeks ago The Lowdown warned of plans being hatched by NHS England and local “Integrated Care Systems” (ICSs) and Clinical Commissioning … Read more
Third large CCG merger confirmed in south east
NHS England and NHS Improvement have given the OK to merge to twenty clinical commissioning groups, according to HSJ. The … Read more
Restriction of specialist referrals under new NHS ‘rationing’ plan for London
A controversial programme of NHS “rationing” is to be introduced in London, including GPs being urged not to refer patients … Read more