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National Commissioning Group (NCG) & National Specialised Commissioning Group (NSCG)
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Last modified date:23 July 2007
The National Specialised Commissioning Group (NSCAG) was established to commission services on a national basis for a specific group of extremely rare conditions or very unusual treatments. It had been in operation in various guises since 1983. It has now been superseded by the National Commissioning Group (NCG). The NCG advises Ministers on which NHS services are best commissioned nationally, rather than locally, to ensure a high quality of clinical care and equity of access for patients, as well as securing value for money.
Commissioning arrangements for specialised services were strengthened following an independent review led by Sir David Carter; the NSCG, the NCG and new SCGs were established as a result.
SCGs (Specialised Commissioning Groups)
Ten new SCGs have been established to commission services on a regional basis. This succeeds mixed arrangements of region-wide and more local commissioning groups. Each new SCG acts on behalf of a population of about five million. Services commissioned at SCG level include haemophilia services and blood & marrow transplantation. The 10 SCGs are now coterminous with the 10 Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The NCG (National Commissioning Group)
- The NCG was established to commission services on a national basis for a specific group of extremely rare conditions or very unusual treatments. It replaced the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group, which had been in operation in various guises since 1983. The NCG is a standing committee of the NSCG. The NCG and NSCG are supported by the National Commissioning Team, who have transferred from DH to NHS London and undertake the day-to-day commissioning work and national support.
- Most services commissioned by the NCG relate to a condition where the national caseload is less than 400 people. Examples include heart and lung transplantation and secure forensic mental health services for adolescents. the total annual budget for the NCG is £346m. This has previously been a central DH budget but from 2007/8 funding has been returned to PCT baselines.
- Ministers continue to have the final decision on the designation (and de-designation) of nationally commissioned specialised services, based on recommendations from the NCG and confirmed by NSSCG.
- Regulations were altered in March 2007 to allow SHAs to commission those national specialised services listed on a schedule. An Inter-Authority agreement between the SHAs sets out delegated responsibility for NHS London to commission and contract for national specialised services on behalf of the NHS in England. NHS London is the host employer for the National Commissioning Team.
The NSCG (National Specialised Commissioning Group)
The NSCG (initially known as NSSCG but renamed as NSCG in May 2007 for ease of reference) is a completely new advisory body and was established to oversee the national commissioning function and to facilitate collaborative working at a pan-SCG level. The core membership is Chairs of SCGs (PCT Chief Executives) or Directors of SCGs
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