Effective and successful clinical commissioning will require a solid partnership between clinical leaders and talented managers, many of whom are currently working at PCTs. Only such a strong partnership will be able to tackle some of the challenges ahead, including to local health economies, in particular in relation to QIPP.

"We should not throw the baby out with the bath water," said Michael Sobanja, chief executive of the NHS Alliance. "PCTs have the skills and expertise which will be absolutely instrumental in implementing the coalition's plans for clinical commissioning successfully. They have been unfairly criticised by the government, who has so far failed to see that PCT managers and staff will need to be supported during this time.

"In a transition period such as the one the NHS is going through at the moment, views can become polarised, with some people keen to get rid of the old regardless while others are equally keen to prove that the new ideas are unworkable. But the reality is not as black and white as this, and we need everyone on board to make clinical commissioning work. PCTs staff must not be forgotten. Patient care must not be forgotten. We need to work together and not let the uncertainties blind our judgement."

Dr David Jenner, general medical services lead for the NHS, added: "It is vital that we look after those with the commissioning skills who are facing an uncertain future. We should respect their needs and look quickly to ensure their skills and organisational memory can be smoothly aligned with clinicians in the new consortia."

The NHS Alliance believes that clinical commissioning is the way forward to a more effective and efficient NHS, but it also recognises that there is still a lot of work to be done before this is effectively implemented.

The Cutting Edge, NHS Alliance annual conference* will bring together key partners, including politicians, managers and clinicians, to develop a vision for the NHS of the future.

* The Cutting Edge takes place at the Bournemouth International Centre on 18-19 November 2010. For more information visit here.

Source:
NHS Alliance