Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group
The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group has now been established and includes all GP practices previously members of the Bournemouth and Poole and Dorset clinical commissioning groups. They will operate in shadow form until the CCG is authorised in April 2013.
Lead GPs in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset have decided that with the PCT clustering from April 2011, there has been clear evidence that working strategically across the two PCT boundaries not only provides a more seamless approach for patients and partners and ensures the most effective use of resources, but provides a more strategic, sustainable, stronger and cost effective organisation to take forward health commissioning in the future.
As one of its key priorities, the CCG will support the further development of strong and distinct localities, comprising groups of local GP practices, who will be responsible for commissioning appropriate services which reflect local patient and population needs.
This structure will also ensure that the CCG is able to effectively participate in the Health and Wellbeing Boards and the development of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for all local authority areas. The insight that the Dorset-wide approach will provide will be invaluable to all partners when considering local health priorities and funding decisions.
A new shadow CCG board will be fully functioning by April 2012 with Dr Forbes Watson as its Chair, and Dr Richard Holmes supporting in a vice chair capacity. Both are local GPs and have been working with the PCT cluster and local lead GPs over the past months to support the development of the CCG. These are transitional arrangements pending agreement about the future structure of the CCG and the appointment to identified roles within it.
This is the start of an important process for the CCG over the coming months to ensure authorisation and to take over the commissioning reigns from the PCT cluster. This is also a period of significant change for the PCT and both the Board and the PCT staff are committed to supporting the CCG going forward.
