A new guide to best practice by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) highlights the success the system has already achieved.
Clinical Commissioning in Action includes examples from 12 CCGs across England where clinically-led projects have improved the quality of healthcare for patients whilst saving money.
The guide was published by the NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC) – a new group formed by the National Association of Primary Care, NHS Alliance and NHS Confederation.
Group leaders admit the switch to clinical commissioning was not easy, but was “absolutely” worth it for the benefit of patients and the NHS.
The move, the guide said, has placed patients at the “heart” of the healthcare system and “services were designed to their needs”.
Examples of successful initiatives introduced by CCGs include correcting prescribing habits in Nottingham and reviewing secondary-care referrals in Northampton.
Dr Steve Kell, GP and Chairman of the Bassetlaw Commissioning Organisation in Nottinghamshire, outlined how GPs had been persuaded to reduce the amount of antibiotic prescriptions which can make patients more likely to develop Clostridium difficile infection.
Also, Dr Peter Wilcynski, interim chairman of NHS Corby CCG, explained how referrals had been reduced by a quarter after GPs agreed to review each case.
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