Commissioning in a resource-constrained healthcare service requires strong GP leadership and engagement to ensure system-wide, high-quality patient care. This expectation is built into requirements for clinical commissioning group (CCG) authorisation. At an individual level, all GPs will be required to consider their referral and management behaviour, and will need to adhere to commissioning decisions if CCGs are to maintain patient care and keep within budget.

GPs are currently experiencing considerable pressure from workload and other demands as both commissioners and providers. As sessional GPs now make up such a large proportion of the GP workforce, excluding them from commissioning means this pressure is felt increasingly by partners who also have practice management responsibilities.

Proposed workforce impact

• More GP training places help manage demands on GP capacity. Many of these new and additional GPs are likely to work as sessional GPs.
• GPs need to have commissioning skills.
• Increased commissioning/management responsibilities for GPs may also discourage applicants.

Sources or references

• Sessional GPs in Commissioning, RCGP, 2012 project report: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/~/media/Files/Revalidation-and-CPD/Sessional_GPs_in_Commissioning_Report.ashx

Additional research questions

• How would the need for extra commissioning skills affect the structure of GP training?
• Will commissioning GPs still be able to perform clinical responsibilities?
• What is the future role of GPs in coordinating the delivery of primary care?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.