The survey can be straightforwardly accessed by clicking on this link - surveys are to completed by the end of June. If you would like any information about the survey or have any queries about its questions please contact: Ivan Annibal at: Ivan.Annibal@sparse.gov.uk » Less

If you are interested in changing children's lives by becoming a Leicestershire foster carer visit:

www.spaceforachild.com or email: spaceforachild@leics.gov.uk

You can also call 0116 305 0505 or freephone 0800 587 7767.

www.leics.gov.uk/fostering_brochure.pdf

More information about the Fostering Network visit: www.22minutes.org.uk » Less

More than 200 CCGs across the country will go through the authorisation process in one of four waves between July and January 2013. Being included in the first wave is recognition of the progress made across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland by GPs and managers at the CCGs, working in partnership with the local Primary Care Trust.

Professor Azhar Farooqi, co-chair of Leicester City CCG said: "We are delighted to be included in the first wave of the authorisation process. We've worked extremely hard to get to this point and the progress we've made is testament to the effort of everyone involved. This is just the start of the process but it gives us the drive to build on what we've done so far in fulfilling our ambition for all people in Leicester to live longer, healthier lives."

Dr Nick Pulman, chair of West Leicestershire CCG said: "Giving clinicians more responsibility for the way the NHS operates and the services it provides can only be a good thing. We've made excellent progress so far and have already put in place a number of improvements that make sense to patients and are delivering better health outcomes. We are looking forward to this next chapter."

Dr Dave Briggs, chair of East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG said: "This is great news for all of us. We've benefitted from excellent support from the PCT, which has allowed us to develop at a pace that felt right. We are excited at this great opportunity to develop the quality of services for patients locally and very much up for the challenge of proving that we have what it takes to formally take on these new responsibilities."

Catherine Griffiths, chief executive of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCT Cluster, added: "Right from the outset of the reforms the PCT Cluster has been committed to supporting the CCGs to develop quickly but appropriately. I have personally been struck by the energy and drive of the GPs and others involved and the way in which they have risen to the challenge so well. I have complete confidence that they will shine during the authorisation process and build upon the foundations they have each laid to deliver high quality, cost effective and sustainable health services that meet the needs of their communities for years to come."

As part of the authorisation process CCGs will be will be judged on their readiness to deliver safe, effective and sustainable services for local people that improves quality, reduces health inequalities and also delivers better outcomes for patients. In total CCGs will have to meet 118 authorisation requirements across six key domains, which are:

• · Strong clinical and professional focus which brings real added value
• · Meaningful engagement with patients, carers and their communities
• · Clear and credible plans for the future that are affordable
• · Proper constitutional and governance arrangements
• · Collaborative arrangements for commissioning with other CCGs, local authorities and the NHS commissioning board and others
• · Great leaders who individually and collectively can make a real difference.

CCGs are a cornerstone of the Government's NHS reforms which aim to give frontline clinicians a stronger leadership role in the running of the NHS, giving patients more information and choice, and focusing on healthcare outcomes that are among the best in the world. All CCGs will take on their new commissioning duties, if authorised, on 1 April 2013.

For more information about the authorisation process, visit: http://www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/resources/resources-for-ccgs/auth/ccg-auth-facts/.

ENDS

For interviews or more information please contact senior media officer Liz Thomas on 0116 295 7677 or liz.thomas@leicestercity.nhs.uk

Notes to editor:

In October 2010 NHS Leicester City and NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland joined forces to form a 'cluster', in line with the requirements of the Department of Health. Although we share one Cluster Board and our staff work across the city and county boundaries, we have not legally merged, and retain our separate statutory duties. Together we serve a population of more than a million people. Cluster formation is an interim stage in the reform of the NHS, involving ongoing transfer of most local commissioning functions to GP-led clinical commissioning groups. » Less