Clinical commissioning groups are set to be subsumed and dissolved into integrated care systems this year

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are set to be subsumed and dissolved into integrated care systems (ICSs) this year. Upon implementation of ICSs, NHSEngland aims to:

1. Improve outcomes in population health and healthcare
2. Tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience and access
3. Enhance productivity and value for money; and
4. Support broader social and economic development.

A new target date of 1 July 2022 for statutory arrangements for ICSs to take effect was laid out in NHS Planning Guidance for 2022/23. National and local plans for ICS implementation will therefore be adjusted to reflect the new timescale, and during this time CCGs will retain all existing duties and functions.

However, despite this three month delay, it appears that there is still much to be done before ICSs are fully implemented. Recent research suggests that most ICSs are yet to appoint a procurement lead and their expected structure to govern procurement is still a work in progress, demonstrating the challenge for stakeholders to execute NHS planning in practice.

It remains to be seen if these new shared procurement services will be implemented before July and what mitigation strategies will be put in place to ensure that ICSs are up and running by this deadline.

Read the full NHS Procurement article here