The quality of UK primary care is at risk because NHS England's area teams lack the capacity to develop relationships with GP practices, so clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are forced to rely on data only, the Kings Fund has warned.
In a submission to the House of Commons health select committee, earlier this month, the independent health charity said responsibility for improving quality in practices could be neglected as a result.
NHS England has published its Interim CCG Assurance Framework for 2013/14, allowing patients and the public to identify how well CCGs are performing in their role.
But the Kings Fund said NHS England's responsibilities for commissioning primary care appeared to be 'unchecked', with a lack of clarity over accountability.