Frequently Asked Questions

What are GP Commissioning Clusters?  

A GP Commissioning cluster  is a group of GP practices who have come together to commission (buy) health services,  for their local populations.

What is the difference between a cluster and a consortium?

“Cluster”  is  the name that has been given to the pilot GP Commissioning programme that is being run by NHS Cambridgeshire.    These will be replaced by consortia by 2013 when NHS Cambridgeshire, the local primary care trust is abolished.
 
Here are some of the main differences between NHS Cambridgeshire clusters and the national model of GP consortia: 
 
Clusters have a change plan which is their licence to make changes to services and pathways in their plan. Consortia will be given full control to buy health services 
 
NHS Cambridgeshire has delegated responsibility to the clusters to buy in health services – but consortia will have full responsibility for buying in health services 

Clusters work closely and obtain management support from the  primary care trust. Consortia will not have this option as primary care trusts will be abolished by 2013. and therefore will need to buy in management support or provide this in-house
 
 

Why has NHS Cambridgeshire introduced pilot clusters now?

In 2009/2010 we reviewed our 5 year plan and developed a number of priority areas on which to focus, one of which was to work in partnership with GPs to develop a more devolved system of commissioning, Our plan, since 2009, was to launch pilot clusters  in 2010. This was ahead of the White Paper announcement in July 2010 to nationally have GP commissioning consortia in place by 2013.

What will GP Commissioning Clusters do?

 
GP  Commissioning Clusters  will commission (buy)  an agreed range of   health services for their patients.  Over time, they will assume responsibility for a wider range of services.
 

What difference will this make for patients?

More responsive services to local needs
Commissioning closer to the patient and, therefore, greater patient involvement in the planning and provision of services
It is expected that services will be provided more locally,  where appropriate
More responsive management of services by GPs
As a result of all the above – there should be better patient experience of the services they receive.
 

Will GP clusters be responsible for budgets?

 
Yes.  GP clusters will be responsible for the full budget for each of their patients.
 
However, NHS Cambridgeshire will continue to commission a number of services on behalf of clusters, for the time being.
 
 

How much budget will each cluster hold?

 
GP clusters will be responsible for the full budget for each of their patients.
 
 

How will PCTs support the clusters ?

 
So far, NHS Cambridgeshire (the PCT) has prepared development plans both for clusters  and it’s own staff to gear them up.
 
An account management structure has been developed as part of the pilot scheme. An account manager is allocated to each cluster, supported by finance,  performance, governance, communications and public health input.
 

How will services be affected?

 
Initially, there will be very little change to the services that patients receive. However, over time, it is likely that more care will be provided to patients closer to home outside of a hospital setting.
 

How will quality and performance be guaranteed?

 
There is a clear contract in place between the PCT and each cluster, setting out what has to be delivered. The PCT will be holding clusters to account to ensure that the required standards are met.
 
 

What will be the benefits of GP Commissioning clusters?

 
·                    services commissioned as close to the patient as possible
·                    the innovation of front-line clinicians harnessed
·                    swifter decision making
·                    active and fully engaged clinical leadership empowered to transform patient care and patient experience
·                    more local care available to patients
·                    greater accountability to patients
·                    more locally developed pathways.
 

What are the benefits for patients?

·                    More responsive services to local needs
·                    Commissioning closer to the patient and therefore greater patient involvment in the planning and provision of services
·                    It is expected that services will be provided more locally,  where appropriate
·                    More responsive management of services by GPs
·                    As a result of all the above – there should be better patient experience of the services they receive.
 

How many GP Commissioning clusters  will there be?

 
At present, NHS Cambridgeshire is piloting four clusters
           

How did the cluster groups come together?

 
All GP practices in Cambridgeshire were invited to participate in the  pilot scheme to consider forming a cluster. Therefore, the make up of the clusters has  been determined by practices themselves.
 
 

How long will the pilot scheme run?

 
The pilot will be for two years and a formal evaluation will be conducted during this period.
 

Which practices are covered in the pilot schemes

About Hunts Health

Hunts Health GP Commissioning Cluster covers the following GP practices in the Huntingdonshire area: 
 
Old Telephone Exchange
Great Staughton Surgery
Papworth Surgery
Kimbolton Medical Centre
Acorn Surgery
Ramsey Health Centre

Priory Fields Surgery
Eaton Socon HC
Charles Hicks Centre
Rainbow Surgery
 

About Borderline GP Commissioning Cluster

 
Borderline Commissioning Cluster covers the following GP practices in Yaxley, Whittlesey, Doddington and Peterborough areas:
 
Doddington Medical Centre
Jenner Health Centre, Whittlesey
Queen Street, Whittlesey
Yaxley Group Practice
Thorney Medical Practice
Hampton Health
Nene Valley Medical Practice
Old Fletton Surgery
 

About CamHealth Integrated Care

 
CamHealth Integrated Care covers the following GP practices in the Cambridge area: 
 
East Barnwell Health Centre
Newnham Walk Surgery
Firs House Surgery
Arbury Road Surgery
Nuffield Road Medical Centre
Bottisham Medical Practice
 

About Isle of Ely Health Consortium

 
Isle of Ely Health covers the following GP practices in Ely,  Chatteris, Soham and Littleport: 
 
Priors Field, Sutton
St George’s Medical Centre,  Littleport
Staploe Medical Centre, Soham
George Clare, Chatteris
The Cathedral Medical Centre, Ely
St Mary’s Ely
Haddenham Surgery, Haddenham