• CCGs [1] are clinically led groups that include all of the GP groups in their geographical area. The aim of this is to give GPs and other clinicians the power to influence commissioning decisions for their patients.​

• CCGs are overseen by NHS England (including its Regional Offices and Area Teams). These structures manage primary care commissioning, including holding the NHS Contracts for GP practices NHS.​

• Each CCG has a constitution and is run by its governing body. Each has to have an accountable officer responsible for the CCG’s duties, functions, finance and governance. Most CCGs initially appointed former PCT managers to these posts. Only a quarter of accountable officers were GPs in October 2014, but 80% of CCG Chairs were GPs. 

CCGs operate by commissioning (or buying) healthcare services including:

• Elective hospital care
• Rehabilitation care
• Urgent and emergency care
• Most community health services
• Mental health and learning disability services

Clinical commissioning groups work with patients and healthcare professionals and in partnership with local communities and local authorities. On their governing body, Groups will have, in addition to GPs, at least one registered nurse and a doctor who is a secondary care specialist.

Each CCG has boundaries that are coterminous with those of local authorities, though one authority may have several CCGs.

Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for arranging emergency and urgent care services within their boundaries, and for commissioning services for any unregistered patients who live in their area. All GP practices must belong to a clinical commissioning group.

At the end of March 2013 there were 211 CCGs.