Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership

The Yorkshire and Humber Improvement Partnership have produced a one page guide to their 2010 programme, which is intended to help PCT's within the region make best use of the projects.

*Unfortunately this link is only accessible for people accessing the blog from the NHS Leeds network. If you want a copy of the document then please send an email to share.learn@nhsleeds.nhs.uk.

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How NICE could help the NHS save millions

The NHS could stand to save millions - at a time when healthcare budgets are being squeezed - by following NICE guidance, according to a review by the Institute.
Implementing NICE guidance can provide a way for primary care trusts (PCTs) in England to ensure that patients receive treatment that is proven to be both clinically and cost effective. Following NICE guidance can also free up resources and capacity that can then be channeled into other services. Click here to read more...

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The standard NHS contracts for acute hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services and supporting guidance

These contracts support the NHS Operating Framework for 2010-2011 and should be read in conjunction with the Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition and the PCT Procurement Guide. The NHS standard contracts cover agreements between PCTs and all types of provider delivering NHS funded services. The contract will apply to agreements from April 2010 for:
NHS Trusts
NHS Foundation Trusts
New agreements between PCTs and independent sector providers
New agreements between PCTs and third sector providers

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Good governance guidance published for PCT provider committees

The Appointments Commission and the Department of Health have published guidance to help PCTs with their governance arrangements for provider committees.
Provider committees are a committee of a PCT board, overseeing the operations of a PCT's provider arm. Governance Arrangements to Support PCT Provider Committees sets out core principles that should underpin the committee's membership and make-up.

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Call for case studies on black and ethnic minorities' experience of oral health

The Department of Health's Black and Ethnic Minority and Oral Health Working Group is finalising guidance for PCTs. Examples of good practice are still being sought for inclusion. PCTs with experience of this issue that they are prepared to share are invited to contact the group's chair Ros Hamburger at ros.hamburger@hobtpct.nhs.uk.
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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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Understanding health care markets: a PCT guide to market analysis and market management

The new NHS Constitution has at its centre the right of patients to choose. This choice is underpinned by competition between health care providers, competition that is intended to be a driving force for improved quality and efficiency. This guide is intended as a short introduction for PCTs to market analysis and market management.

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Quality Indicators in Practices with Unusual Populations Network

This network provides an open space to share, discuss and learn how PCTs are adapting indicators for practices where their populations are at variance from the norm.
The Quality Indicators in Practices with Unusual Populations Network has a private discussion forum which can be found here. Please note that, in order to access this forum, you must be a member of this network and also logged in to the NHS Networks site. The network contact is Bill May tel: 07966 598 806

Procurement and contracting support training courses for PCT Commissioners

The Procurement and contracting support training courses have been designed to cover the knowledge, core skills and competencies required by PCT commissioners. Each course builds upon the previous event to form a coherent body of knowledge. It is recommended that participants undertake all six courses in the programmed order. Click here for further information and to book your place.

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

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.

Pandemic influenza: guidance for primary care trusts and primary care professionals on the provision of healthcare in a community setting in England

Pandemic influenza guidance for primary care trusts and primary care professionals on the provision of healthcare in a community setting in England. The purpose of this updated guidance is to assist primary care trusts (PCTs) in developing their plans for responding to an influenza pandemic. It is also intended to be a useful document for primary care professionals such as those working in general practice, community pharmacy and nursing, and for partner agencies providing services in the community setting.

King's Fund Conference - Shaping PCT Provider Services

The NHS Next Stage Review has encouraged the separation of primary care trust (PCT) commissioning and provider functions. The Department of Health will shortly publish guidance on future organisational forms and governance for PCT provider services, and following this, the focus for PCTs will move towards implementation.
This conference will:
Explore the strategic challenges facing community health services
Share the latest thinking on system reform and PCT provider services
Consider the issues posed by estate within community health services - who is best placed to own and manage it?
Look at the organisational options and the key factors that need to be taken into account when deciding on a preferred option. Click here to book your place.

White Paper Consultation - Proposals for Legislative Change

The DH has recently published a consultation paper, on the future of pharmacy in England. NHS Employers will be drafting a joint response to the consultation with the NHS Confederation's PCT
Network and would be interested to hear your views on the proposals, in particular to the possible reforms regarding dispensing doctors.

For further information please click here

DH releases service specifications for new Clinical Directed Enhanced Services

Service specifications for the new clinical Directed Enhanced Services
(DES) for 2008/9 have been released by the DH. Directions and amendments to the Statement of Financial Entitlement (SFE) will be released in October. PCTs should await the publication of these two documents before entering into any Local Enhanced Services. Practices however should examine the service specifications and put systems in place to provide them if they so wish.
Click here for further information.