What is World Class Commissioning?
The NHS is going through a major transformation.
It is becoming a more locally-driven service and is focusing ever-more closely on improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of care.
Commissioning has a crucial role in delivering this vision in practice.
Commissioning is the process through which Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), like NHS Hastings and Rother, assess local needs, identify the services required to meet those needs and then buy those services from a wide range of healthcare providers (which can include GPs, hospitals, dentists, opticians, pharmacies and voluntary organisations).
World class commissioning (WCC) is an ambitious programme which takes best practice from this country, and from health systems around the world, to transform the way in which PCTs carry out these activities.
Delivering better services
WCC will help PCTs deliver better services which are more closely matched to local needs, resulting in better quality of care, improved health and well-being and a reduction in health inequalities across the community.
It does this by creating the framework through which PCTs can focus on improving the health of local people.
WCC sets out the skills and capabilities of highly-skilled commissioners and the management arrangements and characteristics of a world class organisation.
The programme also provides guidance, tools and support to help PCTs rise to the challenge.
WCC is not an initiative, nor an ‘off the shelf’ product that PCTs simply adopt.
It is an ambitious, challenging programme, the first of its type in the world.
How we are doing
Each PCT’s progress and development needs are assessed through an annual ‘assurance’ process.
In the first year of WCC (2008/9), the assurance process helped PCTs identify a clear path to help them become world class organisations.
In 2009/10, the foundations laid the year before have been built upon.
WCC Assessment 2008/9 for NHS Hastings and Rother
WCC Assurance Report for NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother (2009/10)
The assurance process reviews progress and provides guidance and support to help PCTs develop into world class commissioners.
The process itself involves data and evidence gathering, feedback from local partners and self-assessment.
It also includes a panel day with an expert panel involving the Strategic Health Authority, the Chief Executive of another PCT, a clinician, a local council representative and an independent international healthcare expert.
The assurance process covers three areas:
Health outcomes
These are the key health priorities for the local area.
The assurance process measures the PCTs ability to prioritise and improve against a number of local health outcomes.
There are two (life expectancy and health inequalities) on which every PCT is reviewed, and PCTs will choose others (in discussion with local partners) that are considered to be key local priorities.
Organisational competencies which cover the knowledge, skills, behaviours and characteristics that an organisation needs to be world class.
The competencies are as follows:
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locally lead the NHS
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work with community partners
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engage with public and patients
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collaborate with clinicians
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manage knowledge and assess needs
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prioritise investment
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stimulate the market
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promote improvement and innovation
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secure procurement skills
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manage the local health system
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make sound financial investments
Governance, which refers to management arrangements (including strategy, planning, and the Board’s controls and processes).
For more information, please contact:
Ali Parsons on tel 01273 485300
