Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will review the powers of clinical commissioning groups to make them more accountable to the public.

Section 14Z2 of the Health and Social Care Act 2006 (as amended in 2012) places a duty on clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to involve and consult the public.

Duties under this include the duty to include individuals when developing or changing services, including a statement of principles in their constitution and having regard to any guidance on consultation published by NHS England.

If a CCG is failing to meet its functions, NHS England is able to issue directions to them, setting out what action it should take.