NHS Networks has played host to the first meeting of a body which is bringing together clinical leaders from across the country in a bid to develop a strategy for clinician-led commissioning.

The inaugural gathering of the Health Care Professionals` (HCP) Commissioning Network was held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain`s headquarters in London.

Clinical leaders from areas including dentistry, nursing, optometry and pharmacy, as well as allied health professionals, gathered to see how the knowledge of a wide range of healthcare workers and GP insights can be used to improve clinician-led commissioning.

HCP Commissioning Network head Stephen Foster said: "This meeting is all about defining the future. Pharmacy needs to add value to the commissioning process. We can only do that if we work with GP colleagues collaboratively to define the gaps in commissioning."

Dr James Kingsland, who chaired the meeting, said: "One of the biggest challenges for GP commissioners is being able to undertake robust needs assessment. This is where the insights from other healthcare professionals who see different people or who see our patients in a different light can be invaluable."

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