According to BMJ Careers, In April 2012, 94.2% of the emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England will be able to take on primary care trust commissioning budgets as they passed the strategic health authority (SHA) risk assessment of their configuration.

Just 5.8% of groups were rated as “red” in a risk rating system that measures 4 areas relating to the size of the commissioning group, practice engagement, and shape, while 94.2% of groups were rated as “amber” or “green.”

In April 2012, groups rated as amber or green are expected to be given commissioning budgets allowing them to function as shadow CCGs up till full authorization in April 2013.

The risk assessments carried out by the SHA clusters and observed by BMJ Careers reveals that, CCGs were most likely to find it hard examining the impact of their size. Although, 99% of CCGs gained support from their member practices and 96% were rated as having defined geographical area.

Overall, CCGs in the Midlands and East SHA were most likely to be rated at “red”, 96% of CCGS in the North of England SHA were rated as “amber” or “green”, while none of the London CCGs were rated as “red.”

However, SHA clusters caution that additional alterations to CCG configuration might have occurred since the risk assessment process was completed at the end of 2011.

Written by Grace Rattue