What is the Welsh Government's relationship with the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee, and to whom is it accountable?
The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee was established on 1 April in response to the findings of an independent review into the previous joint commissioning arrangements undertaken by the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee (EASC), the Welsh Health Shared Services Committee (WHSSC) and the National Collaborative Commissioning Unit (NCCU).
It is hosted by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board on behalf of the seven health boards. Ultimately, the health boards are accountable for the performance of those activities delivered via the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee on their behalf. As a joint committee of the health boards, each of the seven health boards is accountable to Welsh Government for planning, securing and delivering health services to their respective populations.
The chief commissioner of the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee has a relationship with Welsh Government officials, with regard to informing and discharging policies relating to the resources and functions delegated to the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee. The chief commissioner will hold Accountable Officer status for the propriety and regularity for public finances delegated to them by the health boards, and will be accountable to the Director General/NHS Wales chief executive in this regard.
The committee chair and lay members are appointed by, and accountable to me in my role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in respect of their performance, upholding the values of the NHS and promoting the confidence of the public and partners. I undertake a performance appraisal of the chair and set their objectives accordingly.