Commissioners and LINks: Effectively Engaging Communities for the 2011/12

This is a half day workshop on 16 June for NHS and social care commissioners within the Yorkshire & Humber region, aimed at providing:
An improved understanding of the role, powers and benefits of LINks specifically in relation to the core elements of the commissioning cycle
An improved understanding of how to work alongside and develop effective relationships/strategic partnerships with LINks in the context of world class commissioning and Putting People First - the adult social care agenda
An opportunity to ask questions and discuss LINks in the context of your role. Also to share experiences/practice with commissioning colleagues in your region.
Download flyer for more information and details of how to book.

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Commissioning children's services network is the latest to join NHS Networks

The Commissioning Children's Services Network is the latest addition to NHS Networks, the virtual platform for connecting professionals and stakeholders in healthcare. The stated aim of the network is to "develop and spread expertise around commissioning children and young people's services". It is the latest of around 20 networks directly related to commissioning to have formed on the NHS Networks platform, which also hosts the World Class Commissioning support and development network and PBC Connection the "network of networks" for PCT and practice based commissioners. NHS Networks provides free web space, network management tools and support for collaboration and intelligence sharing. The service was re-launched in February, supports over 600 networks and is adding new networks at the rate of one a day.

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Last few places for commissioners at analytical fair

Places are still available for commissioners and analysts at the NHS Information Centre's free analytical fair on 9 September 2009 at the Queens Hotel, Leeds.
This event offers an opportunity for commissioners of NHS funded care to share their experiences of using information in decision making. The event will include a variety of speakers from across the service, who will be examining the strategic and local solutions to improve the delivery of world-class commissioning.

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HSJ Conference - Commissioning and Delivering Integrated Care 8th October 2009

HSJ are delighted to announce their commissioning and delivering intergrated care conference on 8th October 2009 in London. This important national conference, is the next in their series of not-to-be-missed World Class Commissioning events. This day has been specifically designed to provide direction, drive-up integrated commissioning competencies and explore models of best-practice. Click here for further information and to book your place.
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WCC Best Practice: Engagement & Investment Prioritisation - 6th July 2009, HIlton Hotel, Leeds

This event is aimed at demonstrating current best practice in competencies 1,2,3,4 and 6 - the engagement that the PCT undertakes with the public, patients, clinicians and community partners and how this feeds into the investment priorities that the PCT makes. The event will include an update on current national policy and thinking in relation to World Class Commissioning. There will be two keynote presentations, and a choice of workshops to allow PCTs to tailor their attendance to get the maximum benefit. Speakers will be a mix of high performing PCTs and national experts. Click here for further information and to book your place!
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The engagement cycle: patient and public engagement (PPE) in world class commissioning

The engagement cycle is a way of approaching patient engagement when commissioning services. It highlights who needs to do what to engage people at each stage of the commissioning cycle. It can be used to facilitate improvements in world class commissioning, particularly concerning Competency Three - engaging with patients and the public.

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Commissioning for Health Improvement

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement aims to help PCTs and SHAs
achieve the Department of Health’s vision for world class commissioning. If you are trying to become a world class commissioner then their range of proven tools and resources will help you.
Tools available include:
Change Readiness Tool - This tool directly strengthens PCTs’ potential for improvement, as measured through the assurance process.
Commissioning Patient Pathways Guide - Detailed guidance on how key design issues (like patient outcomes, demand and capacity etc) should be addressed throughout the commissioning cycle.
Project Delivery for Commissioners - Covering the whole range of activities from setting up
the project team to business as usual.
Strategy Development and Implementation - A literature review covering: the different approaches to developing strategy, how these approaches can be applied, and how the resulting strategy can be implemented.
Further information can be found here!

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World Calss Commissioning Guides for PCT's now available!

Following the national event on world class commissioning and system management, the first two in a planned series of world class commissioning guides for PCTs are now available:
Primary care and community services: improving dental access, quality and oral health
Primary care and community services: improving GP services

Transforming Community Services and World Class Commissioning - Resource Pack

A resource pack has been produced by the Department of Health which sets out the principles of good practice when commissioning community services, showcases examples of existing good practice through case studies in 6 clinical areas and signposts commissioners to the most pertinent and relevant information. Download a copy now!

Fundamentals of Commissioning - HSJ Conference

HSJ is delighted to present this essential learning forum to help all NHS colleagues, partners and suppliers to grasp the ins an outs of NHS commissioning. Ensure you know your PBC from your WCC, and really understand what commissioners are looking for and how they make their decisions. Book your place or download the brouchure for further information.

Invitation to Contribute to Kings Fund Survey on Commissioning

The King's Fund would like to invite you to contribute to a national survey on the subject of PCTs' use of external support for commissioning. This research is aimed at informing and influencing the World Class Commissioning policy by developing an understanding of the national picture of PCTs' developmental needs with respect to their commissioning function. In particular, The King's Fund are interested in the role that external organisations are playing in supporting such improvements – what is happening, in what areas, and whether this support is proving beneficial.The King's Fund are therefore inviting all PCT and SHA employees with knowledge of this area to give information on their experiences. Take part in the survey or click here to find out further information.

Accelerating the achievement of world class commissioning

The NHS Institute have a number of solutions for the commissioning of patient pathways which help build internal improvement capability. They are available at no charge from the NHS Institute website.

The role of the Primary Care Trust board in world class commissioning

The Department of Health have published a guide setting out the competencies and characteristics of PCT boards in their role as world class commissioners. The paper emphasises the vital role of the board in managing the strategic agenda to deliver better health outcomes, new partnership based models of commissioning and the right balance between co-operation and contestability for the benefit both of patients and tax-payers. The paper also acknowledges the challenges faced by the programme, including the separation of the commissioning and provider functions. Click here to download a copy of the guidance.

Intelligent Information for World Class Commissioning

This conference is designed to equip you with the tools to take back and develop fit-for-purpose, integrated information systems in your Trust.
Drive up the understanding of front line staff of the function and importance of information systems and engage them in the information collection and reporting process.
Develop a common language between information and commissioning and ensure information is presented in a practical way which promotes commissioner understanding. And, identify deficits in commissioners’ information skill sets and develop competencies in information analysis and meaningful reporting.

Click here for further information

Towards World Class Commissioning Competency

This paper is intended to assist the thinking of those currently seeking answers to questions, such as: What are health care commissioners required to do? What knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours are required to do it well? Who (either within or beyond the NHS) is most likely to possess these attributes at the moment? How should these capabilities be developed and distributed in future? Access the report here.