Clinical Commissioning Groups
Oral Answers to Questions — Health
2:30 pm
Stephen Mosley (City of Chester, Conservative)
What his policy is on the national authorisation process for clinical commissioning groups; and if he will make a statement.
Simon Burns (Minister of State (Health), Health; Chelmsford, Conservative)
The NHS Commissioning Board is responsible for considering applications from clinical commissioning groups to be established and for determining those applications. The process of authorisation is an important element of ensuring that CCGs are ready to take on their commissioning responsibilities. There are 212 aspiring CCGs that are preparing to apply for authorisation.
Stephen Mosley (City of Chester, Conservative)
West Cheshire clinical commissioning group is making excellent progress towards taking control of all NHS services in April next year. It is one of the first wave to undertake the national authorisation process. When can first-wave groups, such as West Cheshire, expect to hear whether they have been successful?
Simon Burns (Minister of State (Health), Health; Chelmsford, Conservative)
I congratulate West Cheshire and other CCGs on the progress that they have made by aspiring to CCG authorisation. We expect first-wave applicants to be informed of the outcome of their authorisation applications by November. Once the outcome is known, the focus will be on ensuring a safe and managed transition from primary care trusts to CCGs on