Wave 1 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
are on the cusp of authorisation. However this is not the end, this is not even
the end of the beginning!
Leading up to this momentous occasion, CCGs have not been
sitting idly around. There has been a charge to ensure that GP’s, Nurses,
Practice Managers and Receptionists are on-board and know how to contribute.
In our work alongside emerging CCGs, so far, the biggest
challenge has been simply to get through to people. In the run up to
authorisation there is a daily typhoon of emails, letters, bulletins and more
emails, and not a lifejacket in sight!
Then there is the daily business of running a practice. We
have found that practice teams are overwhelmed by data and deadline, trying to
speak to them about something which is beyond a ‘must do’ is very hard, but not
impossible. Our aim has been to frame involvement in commissioning in a
way that doesn’t demand more time. Sounds simple when written down, in reality
this is quite a tough nut to crack.
