_{26 July 2012}

Strategic clinical networks

The NHS Commissioning Board Authority has today (26 July) set out its plans for a small number of national networks to improve health services for specific patient groups or conditions.

Cardiovascular disease, including kidney disease, diabetes, cardiac, and stroke, is one of the conditions chosen for the first strategic clinical networks, alongside cancer; maternity and children’s services; and mental health, dementia and neurological conditions.

The new strategic clinical networks will have a key role to play in the new commissioning system. They will exist for up to five years and will be managed by 12 locally based support teams. These teams will build and oversee effective network arrangements for their area and help networks develop an annual programme of quality improvement in local services. The support teams, funded by the NHS Commissioning Board, will be located in local area teams’ offices.

Full details of the new strategic clinical networks can be read in The Way Forward – strategic clinical networks which is published today. A frequently asked questions document is also available.

For more information see the NHS Commissioning Board Authority website.