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This interactive map shows the changing picture of CCGs This is our latest map of clinical commissioning groups, which will, from April 2013, be responsible for designing local health services in England. The Guardian healthcare network compiled a map of the pathfinders for primary care , formerly known as GP commissioning consortiums, last year. But since then, a number of CCGs have announced mergers, and more are likely to take place before CCGs take up their responsibilities next year. This map is based on figures from the Department of Health, and the colour coding on this new map indicates...

The new health models being used in the US are similar to those coming to Britain: the aim is to cut costs while improving the service, says Mark Zezza Among all the health reform activities in the United States, the arrival of accountable care organisations is considered one of the more promising for bending the health care cost curve while improving patient outcomes. Accountable care organisations are providers that are held accountable for the cost and quality of care for a defined population of patients. The successful ones are expected to manage costs by aligning incentives for hospitals,...

Join us from 12 to 2pm on Wednesday 7 March to discuss how the NHS can contribute to improving public health in the future Public health is currently in a state of transition, with the responsibility of public health services transferring from the NHS to local authorities across the country by April 2013 under plans set out in the government's public health white paper last summer. Each primary care trust (PCT) is required to submit an integrated plan for public health to the Department of Health by the start of April, ensuring that transition measures have been developed with local authorities...

Boards should strive to do the right thing and explain any variance from the rules, rather than just slavishly comply The transition from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) envisaged in the white paper, Equality and excellence: liberating the NHS is attracting a lot of press, much of this negative. But good things have been happening too. CCGs already demonstrate a very different risk appetite to the PCTs they will replace and we are seeing involvement of a wide range of stakeholders. We see a focus and obvious passion for commissioning integrated pathways...

Department of Health hopes funding for clinical commissioning groups will cut hospital admissions Up to £100m in additional funding will be given to doctors in emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to improve services and reduce admissions to hospitals during the colder months, the Department of Health has announced. The funding has been given by the department to enable prospective CCGs to implement measures which support their longer term plans to improve services for patients. It is the first time that the department has identified funding for PCTs to delegate to prospective CCGs for...

The health and social care bill is a major threat to public health in England, argues Corinne Camilleri-Ferrante The health and social care bill is making its stormy passage through the houses of parliament. It is big and complicated, and it has been much misunderstood and inadequately covered in the media. But this bill is a major threat to the health of the public in England and should be seen as such. The health of the public is under threat because: • The secretary of state will no longer have a duty to provide services. This will be delegated to the scores of clinical commissioning groups...

Prevention and early intervention in mental health is a priority say healthcare professionals at a London assembly meeting and must include better co-operation At any one time in London, one in six adults suffers mental health symptoms and suicide is the biggest killer of young men in the capital. The issue was raised at a recent London assembly health and public services committee meeting. The statistics are worrying and, along with the growing financial pressures on the health service, those delivering mental health services are looking at the opportunities in preventative care and early intervention...