15 March 2011
Performers lists management arrangements and implications for patient safety have been a key focus of attention since the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s interim report into the provision of out of hours services by Take Care Now (published October 2009).
From 1 April 2010, PCTs were required to review their performers list management arrangements, in line with the National Health Services (Performers Lists) Directions 2010
Robust management of perfomers' list by PCTs (including where delegated to shared services agencies) is key to safeguarding patient safety and assuring the quality of primary care services.
The West Midlands Primary Care Commissioning (PCC) Steering Group identified monitoring and improving the quality of health care provided by and on behalf of PCTs as a support and development priority for the West Midlands PCC regional work programme for 2010/11.
They agreed that the variation across the West Midlands in the management of performers' lists was unacceptable and that a consistent approach was needed. A key outcome of the review was that PCTs needed to have demonstrable audit trails when processing an application to a performers' list. A working party agreed to review the systems and processes across the West Midlands and recommend a generic process.
A working group of dedicated PCT and agency performers’ list managers developed the following suite of documents using examples from across the West Midlands PCTs and Birmingham Primary Care Shared Services Agency. The documentation has been reviewed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements as of March 2011.
Organisations choosing to adopt the template documents may add contact details and logos but should not amend the substance of the documents.
Template documents
Application form
Covering letter for the application form
Reference request template
Audit checklist (action sheet) Word version
Audit checklist (action sheet) Excel version
Handling Performance Concerns in Primary Care - model policy and procedures including guidance notes
Guidance/Policy documents
Language Testing of Practitioners Professor John Skelton
The Place of the Interview in Performers' Lists Applications Dr. Jonathan Leach, NHS Worcestershire
Language Testing for Dentists Applying for Inclusion in a PCTs Dental Performers' List
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