More than half (54%) of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have been rated ‘good’ and 12% ‘outstanding’, in NHS England’s 2019/20 assessment.
The annual evaluation, which considers CCG performance over a full year, also found that 29% were rated ‘requires improvement’ and 5% ‘inadequate’.
Overall, the latest report paints a picture broadly similar to the findings in the previous year, though the proportion rated ‘inadequate’ is down 4% since 2017/18, and those awarded ‘outstanding’ has increased by 2%.
NHS England analysed 191 CCGs in this year’s report, which is a slightly lower number than last year following the merger of six CCGs into two new organisations in April 2019.
The CCGs were assessed against a new framework, introduced in August 2019, which contains 60 metrics altogether.
This includes the patient experience of primary care services, attention to preventing ill health and reducing inequalities, quality of care and outcomes in areas such as cancer services and mental health, and adherence to waiting time targets.
NHS England also looked at the quality of CCG leadership and financial performance.
‘Outstanding’ CCGs
Altogether, 22 CCGs were rated ‘outstanding’ in the latest report. Both Hull CCG and Doncaster CCG have now been rated ‘outstanding’ for a fourth consecutive year.
Emma Latimer, Hull CCG accountable officer, said ‘We are delighted to achieve the outstanding rating for a fourth consecutive year – which reflects good financial performance, innovative commissioning and assurance that patients are involved in all our work programmes. This is a credit to our dedicated CCG staff, local GPs, other health professionals and wider health and social care partners within the area.’
Dr David Crichton, Doncaster CCG clinical chair, said: ‘Achieving ‘outstanding’ for four years in succession is a fantastic achievement and a great tribute to our staff and the local organisations we work with.
‘Our staff, along with health and care organisations in Doncaster work tirelessly to do the best for our patients in Doncaster and on behalf of the CCG I’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing commitment.
He added: ‘Ratings aren’t everything and we should certainly not be complacent or rest on our laurels; there’s much more to be done. We are continually striving to improve local healthcare for Doncaster patients and this rating, as well as other indicators show we are definitely heading in the right direction.’
