Redeveloping the NHS... where are we now?

The pace of change across the whole NHS has been unprecedented in the last few years. Since the Health and Social Care Act came into law, there has been a flurry of new documents, guidelines and processes to drive forward the delivery of the new infrastructure. The following summarises those developments and where possible, signposts new RCN or external resources.

Some of the links on this page are PDFs - see how to access PDF files.

CCG authorisation

The RCN has produced a briefing which outlines the authorisation process for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) (PDF 98KB). The NHS Commissioning Board has published a range of documents for CCGs about authorisation, which can be downloaded from its website. They include frequently asked questions and guidance for assessors carrying out site visits.

A supplement for assessors on commissioning support arrangements is  also available, outlining how the quality and value of these arrangements will be tested through the authorisation process, particularly where these are provided “in house”.

Health and wellbeing boards

The DH is consulting on draft guidance to support health and wellbeing boards to prepare joint strategic needs assessments and joint health and well being strategies. Read the RCN’s consultation response (PDF 229KB).

Nurse leadership

The RCN has been hearing positive messages from the NHS Commissioning Board around the role of senior nurses as executive leaders in new clinical commissioning groups and other commissioning bodies. However, while the RCN has received some examples of good practice there are still concerns about inconsistency. If you have good or bad examples to share, we would be delighted to see them. Just email commissioning@rcn.org.uk