Health Secretary names 52 pathfinders for GP commissioning

The first groups of GPs who will take the lead in commissioning health services have been announced by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

The Department of Health has selected 52 groups of GP practices to become pathfinders for the new commissioning responsibilities proposed under the government’s NHS reforms.

The consortia, which involve 1,860 practices that provide care to 12.8m people in England, will test the arrangements before more formal structures are put in place.

They range in size from the Red House Group, which has three practices in Hertfordshire serving 18,900 people, to a consortium in County Durham that covers 90 practices and a population of 617,885.

They will manage local budgets and commission services for patients direct with other NHS bodies and local authorities.

The Department of Health said more GP consortia had come forward to join the pathfinder programme. A rolling programme of approvals will occur “over the coming weeks and months”, it added.

GP consortia will take on statutory responsibilities from April 2013.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “I am delighted by the response and the evident enthusiasm of the GP pathfinders for taking these ideas forward. They have shown that there are many GPs ready and willing to take on commissioning responsibilities, so they can make the decisions that better meet the needs of their local communities and improve outcomes for their patients.”

The pathfinders will receive support from the National Clinical Commissioning Network, the National Leadership Council and national primary care bodies, such as the Royal College of GP's Centre for Commissioning.

The government has also set up a Pathfinder Learning Network online hub to provide online support and resources.