Agenda item
Tower Hamlets CCG - Update on the community health services procurement and engagement activities planned
To receive an update on community health services procurement and engagement activities planned
Minutes:
The Community Health Services Procurement Programme Director (CCG) and Community Health Services Procurement Clinical Lead (CCG) made their presentation which provided an update on community health services procurement and engagement plans with the aim of delivering these services more effectively. The present contract has been held by Barts Health since 2011.
The Panel was informed that one year ago NHS Tower Hamlets CCG canvassed a range of stakeholders regarding the re-procurement of community health services. The competitive dialogue model of procurement has been chosen with the aim of having a care coordinated function to underpin the services and to coordinate local services using a single point of access model.
In response to the Panel's questions, the following information was provided:
Concerning the effectiveness of the approach chosen, the Panel was informed that work on cardiac care had been done by Bexley CCG, which had resulted in new ways of procurement which were not solely price-based but more focused on patient outcomes and quality for the benefit of local patients.
The responses received in regard to the TH community health services re-procurement were encouraging and the approach CCG had adopted was one that had not, to date, been used extensively throughout CCGs in England. The CCG’s aim was to ensure a more patient centred approach and provide more patient centred outcomes. Early indications were favourable.
Concerning organisation of the dialogue days, the Panel was informed that there would be separate days dedicated to specific areas such as service model, mobilisation, IT, governance etc.
Concerning whether the outcome-based approach would incur greater financial risk, the Panel was informed that a new approach had been implemented with the aim of securing better quality and better targeted services.
The CCG has identified a cost range of £30-33M for the procurement. Mechanisms to support the approach would have the risks assessed so that appropriate risk boundaries could be set. The chosen range was intended to:
· Enable providers to be more innovative in regard to IT and access to contemporaneous records and also in regard to standards of facilities.
· Give bidders flexibility to move funding and prioritise responses to deliver the appropriate care
· Enable bidders to make longer term plans as the initial contract would be for five years with the possibility of extension to seven years.
The Panel discussed the composition of the Programme Board and was informed that:
- As GP members have conflicts of interest, they are not members. The Board is chaired by the Governing Body nurse representative, supported by three independent clinical advisors and other non-conflicted members.
- Patients are being proactively involved in the evaluation process e.g. evaluation days and final tender presentations. Additionally, patients will have a continuing role in the ongoing scrutiny of the contract.
- CCG would seek to utilise the Social Value and Care Act to ensure that applicants demonstrate commitment to the local area.
- A Market Day event was held in November 2014 which potential bidders attended, including those from the local voluntary sector, and were encourage to become involved. The voluntary sector
Concerning engagement with schools, the Panel was informed that this would be explored to enable parents of children with special needs to be reached.
RESOLVED:
The presentation and update report be noted
Supporting documents: