The NHS North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for planning and buying, known as ‘commissioning’, healthcare services for people in Brent.
These services include:
- planned hospital care
- urgent and emergency care
- mental health and learning disability services
- rehabilitation care
- care in the community
The CCG is made up of seven locality groups of GPs. There are a total of 51 GP practices in these groups, which are all members of the CCG.
To make sure the right commissioning decisions are made for patients, the CCG works closely with local health and social care partners, including Brent Council, patients, the public, community and voluntary organisations, and Healthwatch Brent.
Joint commissioning
Joint commissioning is the way professionals from different organisations work together to agree what support is needed and then arrange for it to be put in place.
Brent Council and the CCG jointly commission a number of health services for children and young people.
These include:
- universal services
- targeted services
- specialist speech and language therapy services
Read more about which services are jointly commissioned.
Designated Clinical Officer (DCO)
Each NHS clinical commissioning group (CCG) must provide a designated medical officer (DMO) or a designated clinical officer (DCO).
The DCO plays a key role in providing a link between the local authority and health services for children with SEND.
What is the purpose of the role
The DCO should help facilitate the education, health and care (EHC) plan process and link it with local health care systems. The DCO also co-ordinates assessments and processes where health services are involved.
The role of the DCO includes:
- providing a point of contact for local authorities, schools and colleges seeking health advice about children and young people who may have SEND
- overseeing all health professionals delivering healthcare to children and young people with SEND
- ensuring all health services are reflected in the Local Offer and that health providers are co-operating in the review of the Local Offer and clear health journeys for children and young people with SEND
- coordinating EHC assessments with other key health assessments, attending EHC panels to discuss which children go forward for assessments, and providing professionals with the support and information needed for assessments.
Who is the DCO for Brent
Norma Johnson is the Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for Brent.
You can contact the DCO if you have a question or concern about health provision for children or young people with SEND.
Email: n.johnson1@nhs.net