15 January 2016

Model of Good Commissioning spreads to Staffordshire

FOUR Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) in Staffordshire - Cannock Chase CCG, East Staffordshire CCG, Stafford and Surrounds CCG and South East Staffordshire and Seisdon and Peninsular CCG –have decided not to go to consultation on restricting access to NHS hearing care.

The CCGs will now wait for the publication of NHS England’s National Commissioning Framework for hearing services, due in April this year. The Framework, currently being co-produced by NHS England, Monitor, NHS commissioners and other stakeholders, aims to deliver better value for patients and taxpayers.

Harjit Sandhu, Director of Policy at the NCHA, said: "We welcome this decision. These four CCGs engaged in a positive way with all stakeholders and focussed on what was best for their local population.

“It makes sense to be part of the national Action Plan on Hearing Loss, in which the NHS recognises hearing loss as a major public health challenge. With the ageing population we have to help CCGs meet hearing need in a sustainable way. That is why aligning behind the National Commissioning Framework for hearing care is the right strategy. These CCGs have signed-up to a Framework that will deliver quality hearing care and value for money.  It is now for NHS leadership and the rest of us to bring greater transparency and accountability to hearing care.”

Read the NCHA view on North East Essex CCG model of best practice after a similar local consultation process in 2015.