Issue - meetings

To brief the committee on the future of health commissioning in Coventry and Warwickshire, the proposed changes to the structure of the clinical commissioning function and the future process.

A report was introduced by Sarah Raistrick to inform the Committee of the future of health commissioning in Coventry and Warwickshire, the proposed structural changes to the clinical commissioning function and the committee’s support was sought to the application to create a single, merged Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Background was provided on the NHS long term plan, which outlined a new service model and as part of this, the formation of integrated care systems (ICS). The CCGs had considered how to support the move to an ICS and following a period of engagement, a case for change was developed, outlining the options available, which were reported.

It was noted that options which involved the strategic direction of the CCGs were reserved to the member organisations, who were asked to vote on their preferred option. Detail was provided on the process undertaken. The outcome of the vote was decisive in all three CCG areas, with members choosing the option of full merger. The next steps in this process were reported and CCGs were preparing to apply to NHS England and Improvement for authorisation to become a single merged organisation. If the application was successful, the three CCGs aimed to become a merged organisation by April 2021. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders and the population was an essential part of this process.

Questions and comments were provided, with responses provided as indicated:

•        It was questioned if the deadline for the merger was realistic. There was confidence that it could be achieved.

•        How could a merged Coventry and Warwickshire CCG (C&WCCG) give more local support? Detail was needed to evidence this. The allocation of funding across the merged CCG also needed clarifying, as there were differing needs in each of the areas and a concern that funding might not be distributed equitably.

•        Dr Raistrick referred to health needs and inequalities for Coventry and Warwickshire as a whole, desired outcomes using an example of improving diabetes targets and the differing interventions that would be needed across each ‘place’ to achieve the target. 

•        Adrian Stokes added that funding allocations would remain for each of the places they were earmarked for, for the next five years, subject to any financial changes imposed by the Treasury post-covid.

•        This response gave reassurance, but conversely there was a need to address known inequalities and funding would be required to do this.

•        A comment that average data for Warwickshire was generally good, but it hid issues in specific areas and there was a need to examine granular data for local areas. As a health and social care partnership local data was used, such as that from the joint strategic needs’ assessments (JSNA) and primary care networks (PCNs). It was equally important to maintain good outcomes in areas doing well.

•        Adrian Stokes reminded that CCGs needed to reduce their running costs by 20%. The merger proposals would remove duplication and some overheads, avoiding the need to cut staffing in more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4