Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2015 and come into force on 1st October 2015.

(2) In these Regulations, "the principal Regulations" means the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012(2).

Amendments in relation to Standing Rules: NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS funded nursing care

2.  In regulation 20 of the principal Regulations(3) (interpretation)-

(a)in the definition of "flat rate payment", for "£110.89" substitute "£112";

(b)in the definition of "high band payment", for "£152.61" substitute "£154.14".

Amendments in relation to Standing Rules: waiting times

3.-(1) Regulation 45 of the principal Regulations (duty to meet the maximum waiting time standards) is amended as follows.

(2) Omit paragraphs (1) and (2).

(3) In paragraph (3), after "commence" insert "appropriate".

(4) Omit paragraphs (5) and (6).

Amendment in relation to Standing Rules: duty to have regard to guidance

4.  In regulation 50 of the principal Regulations(4) (duty to have regard to guidance), for ""The Referral to Treatment Consultant-led Waiting Times Rules Suite dated April 2014"" substitute ""The Referral to Treatment Consultant-led Waiting Times Rules Suite dated October 2015""(5).

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012 (S.I.2012/2996).

The amendments made by regulation 2 increase the rates for NHS-funded Nursing Care payable by the relevant body (the National Health Service Commissioning Board or a clinical commissioning group).

The amendments made by regulation 3 remove the reference to the Referral to Treatment operational standards for NHS treatment which has commenced so that the only remaining standard is that 92% of patients on incomplete pathways should have been waiting no more than 18 weeks from referral.

The amendment made by regulation 4 reflects the fact that because of the amendments made by regulation 3, it is necessary to update "The Referral to Treatment Consultant-led Waiting Times Rules Suite" which a relevant body must have regard to in carrying out its duties. The existing Rules Suite is updated with effect from 1st October 2015.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as minimal impact on business or the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.