A chance for parents of disabled children to shape changes to the NHS

What are the changes?

Major changes are to be made to the way health services are commissioned by the NHS. This will affect how and what health services are delivered in each area. Patients and carers are also to be given a bigger say in how services will be delivered in their local area.

How will it affect me?

Commissioners are responsible for drawing up contracts for services, which other organisations agree to deliver for a certain amount of money. What is written in the contract will determine the type of service people receive. For example, a contract for a wheelchair service will specify who is entitled to receive the service, where clinics will take place, maximum waiting times, numbers of appropriate trained staff, range of equipment provided and details of repair service including out of hours services. The contract will also describe how the service is to be monitored.

From April 2013, Clinical Commissioning Groups managed by GPs and a new national NHS Commissioning Board will become responsible for commissioning health services instead of Primary Care Trusts.

If you are a member of a parent forum or even if you are not - watch this presentation to understand more about how you can influence how these services will be delivered.

What can Contact a Family offer?

Contact a Family will be adding information to this section of the website to

• Explain the common problems families encounter with health services. Read more
• Provide solutions and information to assist in the planning of health services that meet families of disabled children's needs.
• Provide latest information about the NHS changes as they take place.

Contact Sheila Davies on 020 7608 8773 or email sheila.davies@cafamily.org.uk to find out more about this project.