Clinical policy development

The eight Clinical Commissioning Groups in Lancashire and South Cumbria are working together to review their clinical policies.

What is clinical policy development?

In the NHS treatments and care for patients are provided free at the point of service. While in hospital and for certain categories of patient, medications are also free at the point of service. However, not all treatments and medications are routinely funded by the NHS. This is because the effectiveness of certain procedures and medications can vary amongst patients and in some cases can do more harm than good.

A clinical commissioning policy is a document that describes in an open and transparent manner in what circumstances a CCG or a group of CCGs will commission specific healthcare treatments or procedures.

Clinical commissioning policies are evidence-based (which considers if the treatment/procedure is effective, appropriate and ethical), but must also reflect other important considerations such as cost effectiveness and affordability.  They are subject to regular reviews, usually every three years, but this may be more frequent depending upon the treatment or procedure concerned, the impact of clinical research and development and the pressures upon the health economy.

Across Lancashire and South Cumbria, there is a rolling programme of clinical policy review and development involving all the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). This provides an ideal opportunity to co-ordinate these policies and related services and make them consistent and fair. It reduces what is often referred to as the postcode lottery of healthcare across this area of the North West.

For further information about the clinical policy review process or any individual policies email mlcsu.haveyoursay@nhs.net