Leadership for health commissioning in the new NHS.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to explore the early experiences of those involved with the development of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), examining how the aspiration towards a "clinically-led" system is being realised. The authors investigate emerging leadership approaches within CCGs in light of the criterion for authorisation that calls for "great leaders".


METHODS
Qualitative research was carried out in eight case studies (CCGs) across England over a nine-month period (September 2011 to May 2012) when CCGs were in their early development. The authors conducted a mix of interviews (with GPs and managers), observations (at CCG meetings) and examined associated documentation. Data were thematically analysed.


RESULTS
The authors found evidence of two identified approaches to leadership - positive deviancy and responsible guardianship - being undertaken by GPs and managers in the developing CCGs. Historical experiences and past ways of working appeared to be influencing current developments and a commonly emerging theme was a desire for the CCG to "do things differently" to the previous commissioning bodies. The authors discuss how the current reorganisation threatens the guardianship approach to leadership and question if the new systems being implemented to monitor CCGs' performance may make it difficult for CCGs to retain creativity and innovation, and thus the ability to foster the positive deviant approach to leadership.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a large scale piece of qualitative research carried out as CCGs were beginning to develop. It provides insight into how leadership is developing in CCGs highlighting the complexity involved in these roles.
Manchester University.
Anna
A
Coleman
Julia
J
Segar
Kath
K
Checkland
Imelda
I
McDermott
Stephen
S
Harrison
Stephen
S
Peckham
D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D058005:General Practitioners; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007857:Leadership; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*
Clinical commissioning groups; Commissioning; Leadership; Positive deviants; Responsible guardians