The Clinical Policies Forum (CPF) reports to the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB) Joint Clinical Professional Executive Group (JCPEG), which reports to the Quality, Performance and Finance Committee (QPF), which is accountable to NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB).  The policies contained within this site are formulated by the Clinical Policies Forum.  

A patient who may require an intervention that is covered by a CPF clinical policy should discuss this with their GP if they are concerned.

What does it do?

The CPF meets regularly to discuss issues that arise when trying to meet the health needs of Cambridgeshire within limited resources. The role of the CPF is to advise NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB) on the clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness, appropriateness and relative priority of new and existing treatments/services.  If a treatment is of unproven effectiveness, poor cost effectiveness or of low overall priority, the Forum considers under what circumstances the treatment should be available in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough under the National Health Service. 

Terms of Reference of the Clinical Policies Forum.

The process of priority setting by the CPF is designed to be open, transparent and consistent.  It uses systematic methodology, an evidence-based approach and wider consultation within the process. More information is available in the briefing paper: Levels of Evidence/Study Quality in Relation to Policy Development.

Who is a member of the CPF?

The Forum is designed to be representative of the health community in the county, and includes representatives of primary care, secondary care, community care and users of the NHS.

  • Commissioning Member:  Jane Webster - Director of Commissioning, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB).
  • Ethicist Member:  Tanya Brigden.
  • Clinical Lead for Clinical Policies:  Dr Abby Richardson, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB). 
  • GP Member:  Dr Christine Emerson - Sessional GP, NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (ICB).    
  • GP Member:  Dr Izibeya Otobo - Ramsey Health Centre.
  • GP Member:  Dr Sean Culloty - Octagon Medical Practice.
  • Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Member:   vacant..
  • Hospital Consultant Member:  Mr Justin Davies (CPF Chair) - Deputy Medical Director and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Hospital Consultant Member:  Dr Suzanne Hamilton - Deputy Medical Director and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Hospital Consultant/Specialist Member:  Jayne Davies - Clinical Lead, MSK Specialist Services & Physiotherapy Specialist (Extended Scope Practitioner), Dynamic Health, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
  • Lay Member:  Elizabeth Clark.
  • Lay Member:  Liz Hunt.
  • Mental Healthcare Member:  Dr Nicola Deamer - GP and Associate Medical Director, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Nursing Member:  Lesley Deacon - Deputy Chief Nurse, NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (ICB).
  • Patient Forum Member:  vacant - awaiting nomination
  • Patient Forum Member:  Dr Richard Hodder - (CPF Deputy Chair) - Lead Governor, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
  • Patient Forum Member:  David Dean - Public Governor and Deputy Lead Governor, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.    
  • Public Health Policy Development Lead Member: Dr Raj Lakshman - Consultant in Public Health Medicine (Healthcare Public Health), Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Authorities.
  • Secretary:  Julie Istead - Clinical Policies Forum Manager, NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (ICB).
 Co-opted members
  • Medicines Management Lead: Sati Ubhi - Associate Director of Medicines Optimisation, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB).
  • Public Health Research Officer: Dr Kelvin Okoth  - Public Health, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Authorities.
  • Medical Director CCS:  Dr David Vickers - Medical Director and Consultant Paediatrician, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

The Forum meets bi-monthly - 2023 dates below.  New policies are developed when the need arises, either as a result of issues arising within NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, a result of new evidence becoming available, or as a result of guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).  All policies are regularly reviewed and are revised to incorporate recent evidence as appropriate.

Meetings scheduled for 2023 (all meetings start at 3pm and close at 5pm)

10 January 2023
6 March 2023
2 May 2023
3 July 2023
5 September 2023
6 November 2023
 

What if I don't agree with the policy or how it's been applied? 

Concerns regarding the content of policies should be raised initially with the appropriate representative on the CPF so that the issues can be raised at the next policy review. New issues that may need a new policy can be proposed to the CPF by clinicians or others for consideration by the Forum.

Appeals against the way in which a particular policy has been applied in an individual case should be directed initially to the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (ICB) Exceptional Cases Team. 

The team can be contacted on the following email address: 
cpccge-ifr@nhs.net

Further information on the Clinical Policies Forum and its polices are available from the Secretary of the Clinical Policies Forum, telephone number 07932 211838 or email  cpicb.clinpolicies@nhs.net