The aim of a publications scheme is to foster openness in government and increase transparency of what we do, what we spend, our priorities, decisions and policies.
Classes of information
The Information Commissioner has identified seven classes of information which should be published by public bodies in the health sector. These classes help to describe our organisation, our role, priorities and governance, and how we account for our expenditure. These classes are listed below.
We are not required to create information which is not required for the running of our CCG. There may be instances where some information will not be included in our publication scheme such as:
- Where we do not hold that information
- Where disclosure of information is exempted under the Freedom of Information Act, excepted by the Environmental Information Regulations or prevented by other laws such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and European General Data Protection Regulations
- Notes or information which is still in draft form
- Emails and other correspondence
- Actions and decisions related to individuals
- Information which has been archived and no longer easily accessible
- Information which is old or has been superseded
- Where it would be impractical to prepare the information for routine release.
Publication Schedule Guide
- 1. Who we are and what we do
This class encompasses organisational information such as structure, locations and governance. It includes information on the legal status of NHS Leeds CCG and how to contact us.
- 2. What we spend and how we spend it
This class contains financial information on projected and actual income, budgets and expenditure, procurement, tendering and contracts. It also includes information on financial audits of NHS Leeds CCG, accounts and details of allowances and expenses which board members and staff can claim. - 3. What are our priorities and how we are doing
This class details our strategy and plans and our main priorities as well as how we are performing against our plans and objectives. It also includes details of our audits, inspections and reviews. - 4. How we make decisions
This class contains information on our consultation and decision–making process, as well recording our decisions, and proposals. This class only includes formal high-level meetings where key decisions about our services are made and will not include any information of a confidential or personal nature. - 5. Our policies and procedures
This class contains our current written policies, procedures and protocols which guide the delivery of our services. It includes information such as codes of practice, memoranda of understanding and our standards of service and complaints procedure. Also included are our policies on equality and diversity, health and safety, information governance, record retention and data protection. - 6. Lists and Registers
This class includes a range of lists which we are obliged to maintain by law as well as those lists which we maintain in conducting our operations. - 7. The Services we offer
In this class you can find advice and news about the services we provide, such as booklets, leaflets and news releases.
1. Who we are and what we do
a) How we fit into the NHS Structure
CCGS are led by a team of local clinicians such as GPs, Consultants and nurses and are set up as membership organisations rather than the traditional NHS structure.
NHS Leeds CCG has been established as part of the major changes to the NHS set out in the 2010 White Paper Equity and Excellence – Liberating the NHS which became law under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
From April 2013, Clinical Commissioning Groups became responsible for commissioning or buying health and care services including:
- Elective hospital care
- Rehabilitation care
- Urgent and emergency care
- Most community health services
- Mental health and learning disability services.
CCGs are overseen by NHS England, which is a national body formed under the 2012 Act. Local offices of NHS England will oversee their local CCGs and also manage primary care commissioning, including holding GP practices NHS contracts. Future developments in the NHS are looking to blur the boundaries between NHS England and CCGs as commissioners by introducing the concept of co-commissioning from 2015/16.
As well as creating CCGs and NHS England, the Act establishes several other new bodies including:
- Healthwatch England – responsible for providing advice on the views of local organisations and service users.
- NHS Digital – NHS Digital is the national information and technology partner to the health and care system.
- Public Health England – responsible for public health.
Alongside development of the CCGs, Commissioning Support Units (CSU) have also been developed. The CCG does not hold any CSU contracts.
Equity and Excellence – Liberating the NHS
The NHS White Paper, Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS, sets out the Government’s long-term vision for the future of the NHS.
The NHS Constitution For England
The NHS Constitution has been created to protect the NHS and make sure it will always do the things it was set up to do in 1948 – to provide high-quality healthcare that’s free and for everyone.
The NHS Constitution will also make sure that no government can change the way the NHS works without getting the approval of staff, patients and the public. The Constitution is a promise that the NHS will always be there for you.
NICE Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
NHS Planning Guidance 2020/21
The leading national health and care bodies in England have come together to publish ‘Delivering the Forward View: NHS Shared Planning Guidance 2020/21’, setting out the steps to help local organisations deliver a sustainable, transformed health service and improve the quality of care, wellbeing and NHS finances.
b) Organisational structure
- Organisational chart with names of senior departmental heads (this is currently unavailable)
- Details of board or governing body members and other key personnel
- Details of general practices which are members of the CCG
- Our Constitution
c) Lists of and information relating to key organisations we work in partnership with
d) Meetings with pharmaceutical companies and other medical suppliers
NHS Leeds CCG does not have formal meetings with pharmaceutical companies or other medical suppliers.
e) Locations and contact details of public facing departments
Contact details
2. What we spend and how we spend it
a) Expenditure over £25k by month
As part of the Government’s commitment to greater transparency, there is a requirement to publish online, central government expenditure above £25,000. HM Treasury has confirmed that this requirement also applies to NHS organisations.
Please note there are certain exemptions. For further details of these, refer to the guidance issued by HM Treasury.
Further details of the initiative are on the data.gov.uk website.
c) Staff and board member allowances and expenses
Please see our annual reports for details
d) Staff pay and grading structure
Agenda for Change (AfC) is the current National Health Service (NHS) grading and pay system for all NHS staff (excluding doctors, dentists and some senior managers).
Current Agenda for Change pay rates
Details of reimbursement of travel costs and subsistence allowances for NHS Employees can be found in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook.
e) Procurement and tendering procedures
Standard Contract for the Purchase of Good and Services
Procurement Policy
f) Details of contracts currently being tendered
g) List and value of contracts awarded
Contracts register
3. What are our priorities and how we are doing
b) Annual business plan & targets, aims and objectives
Our priorities
c) Strategic direction documents
Strategic Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21
d) Performance against targets, performance framework and performance management
Please see our annual reports for details
e) Service user surveys
Please see our current and past engagements and consultations
f) Environmental audit and progress reports & environmental policy proposals, plans and programmes
We are currently refreshing our sustainability management plan, now known as the green plan. This will be published on our website in due course, depending on the current pandemic. In the meantime, please see our annual reports for details of progress against targets.
4. How we make decisions
a) Board agendas, supporting papers and minutes
Information on minutes, papers and agendas of governing body committee meetings is available from the CCG corporate governance team.
b) Communications and engagement strategy
c) Public consultations concerning closures and variations in service
d) Internal communications guidance and criteria used for decision making
NHS Leeds CCG Constitution
Operational scheme of delegation
Detailed financial policies
Budgetary control framework
5. Our policies and procedures
a) Policies and procedures relating to the conduct of business and the provision of service
Members of NHS Boards, Clinical Commissioning Group governing bodies and NHS Managers are expected to meet core standards of conduct. The following documents have been developed to guide managers in the work they do and the decisions and choices they have to make and to reassure the public that these important decisions are being made against a background of professional standards and accountability.
Information about the standards for members of NHS boards and Clinical Commissioning Group governing bodies in England can be found here.
The Code of Conduct of N-HS Managers can be found here.
b) Individual Funding Request policies
c) Health and safety policy and procedures
d) Policies and procedures relating to human resources
e) Equality and diversity policy and equality scheme
f) Standing financial procedures and instructions
Prime financial policies (contained within our Constitution)
Detailed financial policies
g) Standing orders (contained within our Constitution)
h) Complaints and other customer service policies and procedures
i) Data protection, records management and Caldicott Guardian
j) Charging regimes and policies
Schedule of fees
6. Lists and registers
a) Asset registers
NHS Leeds CCG has an asset register and this is available on request
b) Information Asset Register
NHS Leeds CCG has an information asset register and this is available on request
d) Register of gifts and hospitality
e) Register of Procurement Decisions – 2021-22
Register of Procurement Decisions -2020-21
Register of Procurement Decisions – 2019-20
Register of Procurement Decisions – 2018-19
Register of procurement decisions – 2017-18
f) Disclosure log
NHS Leeds CCG does not have a disclosure log
g) FOI compliance statistics
Please see our annual reports for details
7. The services we offer
a) Clinical services provided and/or commissioned
Since April 2008 patients referred by GPs for planned treatment can choose to be seen in any hospital or clinic that can provide NHS standard care, at NHS prices. The NHS Choices website has detailed information about every hospital in the UK. This will help you to make a more informed decision about your healthcare.
Information about primary care services in your area (dentists, GPs, pharmacies and opticians) as well as local hospitals and clinics can be found at NHS Choices.
b) Patient information leaflets, other booklets and newsletters
Please see the healthy living section of our website
c) Corporate communications and media releases
Latest news
Press contacts