A West Midlands CCG has been taken out of special measures following improvements in the organisation’s financial performance and governance.
NHS Walsall CCG was rated as inadequate by NHS England in its annual assessment for 2015/16 as it faced a deficit of over £20m.
The organisation was then put in special measures where it worked with NHS England to implement an improvement plan.
Part of the changes being made by the CCG includes severing its ties with the local council.
A West Midlands CCG has been taken out of special measures following improvements in the organisation’s financial performance and governance.
NHS Walsall CCG was rated as inadequate by NHS England in its annual assessment for 2015/16 as it faced a deficit of over £20m.
The organisation was then put in special measures where it worked with NHS England to implement an improvement plan.
Part of the changes being made by the CCG includes severing its ties with the local council.
An external review of the CCG found that the CCG and the council have a ‘lack of joined up commissioning intentions’, with no shared strategy for learning disabilities and mental health.
The report added that it is ‘not clear that there is a shared position across all staff that focuses on maximising independence, minimising risk and providing sufficient support with housing, social care and nursing to keep clients out of inpatient care’.
Therefore, as part of the CCG’s move out of special measures, the organisation said it would ‘disintegrate’ its commissioning arrangements with the council.
Paul Maubach, accountable officer for NHS Walsall CCG, said: ‘We are pleased that special measures have been lifted but we know that there is still much more work to be done to ensure that we continue to improve local health services for the people of Walsall.’
He added: ’There are still many challenges ahead for the CCG however we would like to assure people that as an organisation we are fully committed to commissioning the highest quality health services that provide good value for money for the people of Walsall.’
Dr Anand Rischie, chair of NHS Walsall CCG, also acknowledged that there is ‘still much work to be done’ and committed to working with NHS England to make the necessary improvements.
