With today’s statement from RCGP and continuing discussions on the Health and Social Care Bill, I thought it useful to restate the Lambeth position, as articulated in brief at our All Practice Event on Tuesday. I think it is also worth reflecting that amongst the over 100 from primary care present in the room, I heard broad support for what we are doing.
It is my view, and I do not sense much challenge to this, that greater clinical involvement and leadership in commissioning is an obviously worthwhile activity.
In Lambeth, we build on a history of collaborative working between clinicians and managers, as well as trying to engage our patients and population, and partners in secondary care, social care and the voluntary sector.
The changes we have made so far are all within existing legislation and governance, although recognise that around us, changes are happening that anticipate the passage of the Bill.
I would therefore urge that whilst we may hold a range of views on the political drive to reforms, we would be doing a disservice to our patients and colleagues not to continue with the positive changes we are making, which I believe are starting to deliver meaningful change in difficult times.
Adrian
Lambeth Clinical Commissioning Collaborative 