Consultation, “Commissioning for patients” builds on the Government’s White Paper about putting local consortia of GP practices in charge of commissioning services to best meet the needs of local people, supported by an independent NHS Commissioning Board. This consultation is about how the DH should implement these proposals and closes on 11th October 2010.

This consultation, “Local democratic legitimacy in health”, builds on the proposals in the White Paper to increase local democratic legitimacy in health. Proposals include local authorities: i) being given a stronger role in supporting patient choice and ensuring effective local voice ii) taking on local public health improvement functions, and iii) promoting more effective NHS, social care and public health commissioning arrangements. Consultation closes on 11th October 2010.

As part of a suite of consultations on the latest NHS White Paper, “Liberating the NHS”, the first, “Transparency in outcomes – a framework for the NHS” has been launched on how best to establish accountability within the NHS in England. This discusses how the Secretary of State for Health will hold the NHS Commissioning Board to account for delivering better health outcomes. Consultation closes on 11th October 2010.