Clinical Commissioning

Clinical Commissioning builds on the old Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) initiative designed to target financial drivers towards primary care and the key role that GP practices already play in co-ordinating patient care. It gives groups of GP practices financial accountability for the consequences of their decisions.

Since the publication of the White paper in July 2010, GPs and NHS Oxfordshire have been working together to explore future models for Clinical Commissioning. Work has been undertaken, that looks at the functions and responsibilities of NHS Oxfordshire and the governance required to support this transition.

Following the passing of the Health and Social care Act in March 2012; the challenge now, is for local clinical commissioning groups to develop as organisations and become authorised so they are able to take on the statutory duty of commissioning healthcare for their local population in April 2013.

The Oxfordshire wide Clinical Commissioning model features strong localities of a similar size to the previous PBC consortia, which will commission local health services for the public.

There are 6 localities in Oxfordshire. The Didcot Practices have joined with practices in Abingdon, Wantage & Grove, Farringdon, Clifton Hampden and Berinsfield, making a total of 14 Practices. We are known as the South West Oxfordshire Locality, which represents and advocates for a population of 136,000 patients.

For more information, including details of other areas of Oxfordshire please visit the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) website.