How we avoid conflicts of interest

What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest is circumstances that risk someone’s ability to apply judgement or act in one role being impaired or influenced by another interest they have.

There is potential for conflicts of interest in both the public (like the NHS and Council) and private sectors (businesses). While it may not be reasonable or efficient to remove the risk of conflicts of interest entirely, we have to recognise the risks and put measures in place to identify and manage conflicts if they arise.

Because they are also providers of local clinical services, GP commissioners are likely to have potential conflicts of interest.

All local GP practices are members of the CCG. Some GPs, along with other clinical experts, CCG officials and lay members, are members of our governing body.

Conflicts of interest are inevitable, but in most cases it is possible to handle them with integrity and probity by ensuring they are identified, declared and managed in an open and transparent way.

The CCG has put in place robust arrangements to seek to manage conflicts when making commissioning decisions. These measures are outlined in our Conflict of Interest Policy v1.3 review update ratified by COO 23072019. These measures aim to ensure decisions made by the CCG will be taken, and seen to be taken, uninfluenced by external or private interests.

Over the past 12 months, January to December 2020 the CCG has suffered no breaches in relation to Conflicts of Interest.

The CCG Conflicts of Interest Guardian is Mrs Erika Stoddart.

Declarations of Interest

Information about our obligation to declare conflicts of interest can be found in the CCG’s Constitution.

Conflicts of Interest Register

NLCCG COI Register May 2022