Prepare and/or update your SSDP documentation

An SSDP can assist a PCT in establishing the optimum service delivery pattern in a particular locality. This should describe:

• the current provision of primary care and why these arrangements need to change
• the local vision for primary and community health services development based on local health needs
• how the modernisation agenda will be delivered locally
• details of all agreements with developers how improvements will be funded
• project management arrangements, including a procurement timetable

SSDPs should be updated regularly (preferably annually). Ideally they should be prepared with the participation of the local NHS stakeholders, community and voluntary groups, and local government.

An SSDP is likely to have at least the following sections:

Executive summary
This section should be a succinct summary of the document with key recommendations.

The current position
This section should give a description of what currently exists, the stakeholders involved and the services provided. It should also describe:

• the condition of the estate from the estates audit, including suitability in terms of accessibility, space for growth, appropriateness etc
• the current human resource position
• the population served and its characteristics

Case for change
This section should:

• explain why the current position cannot continue
• describe the issues, including service and investment needs, to be addressed
• describe the drivers for change – policy, service, investment needs – that require a rethink and change in service delivery
• describe the step change required in primary care – such as integration with social services, partnership working, new service developments, including intermediate care
• describe demographic shifts
• describe the local health needs, service changes and proposed service developments
• describe why the change will improve communications, for example between community staff and GPs, due to better integration afforded by a large purpose-built centre
• describe how the 'NHS Plan' and other locality plans will be realised

Vision and principles for development
This section should:

• outline your vision of what is to be delivered, including the nature of the new services and facilities
• set out your principles for development

Your aim should be to produce modern, flexible, integrated services with local accessibility. It is advisable to review principles of primary care as outlined in key policy documents. Your approach should encompass 'hub and spoke' and 'network' models within your local health economy. [A 'hub and spoke' model is where a locality is served by one or two large centres with a broad range of primary and social care services. A 'network' model has a greater number of smaller centres that all provide core services (such as GMS) and possibly one or two others (for example podiatry and counselling), which will vary at each location.] It should also include the notion of blurred boundaries between primary and secondary care taking an integrated working and partnership approach.

Approach to achieving your vision
This section should:

• describe your approach to achieving your vision
• describe the intention to have a joint venture partner, if appropriate
• explain the structure of the national LIFT initiative, if appropriate
• identify how non-LIFT arrangements will be managed

Your approach should include a service slant.

Requirements from the selected partner
This section should:

• describe in output terms what the partner will be required to deliver, including identified initial developments and long-term partnering arrangement to plan, manage and deliver the required services
• describe any properties to be transferred, the planned basis of transfer and future service requirements

The potential partner should be able to demonstrate their fitness (cultural fit, track record etc) to become the long-term strategic partner. They should also demonstrate their ability to provide satisfactory solutions to the identified initial developments.

Service standards
This section should set out:

• standards for the provision of investment and services, including reference to applicable NHS guidance (for example design standards), standards to be applied to any property to be transferred and ongoing operational standards on new facilities etc

How requirements will be funded
This section should:

• give projected capital costs of the new premises, including an analysis of risk and a strategy for managing the financial risk
• give projected operational and service costs of the new premises (whether borne by developer or by PCT/practitioner etc)
• compare the cost of the current service to the cost of the proposed service
• give an estimate of the level of rental income recoverable from occupants of premises (including the extent of consultation/agreement with the DV)
• describe the level of growth monies and revenue available
• describe the aggregate resources available to pay for what is going to be provided, and to ensure that requirements are affordable
• explain that stakeholders have/will have signed up to the affordability analysis
• describe the level of revenue resources that the health economy expects (but can't guarantee) to have available in the longer term, to fund future flow of investments and improved services

Stakeholder support and involvement
This section should:

• demonstrate the commitment obtained from the various stakeholders
• describe how stakeholders will be consulted during the procurement process
• demonstrate how continued stakeholder support and commitment will be maintained through the procurement period and operational life of the building(s).

The agreement to be entered into
This section should:

• explain the type of agreement to be entered into
• describe the joint venture arrangement to manage service delivery
• explain the pricing mechanism and protections for stakeholders in terms of ensuring value for money

Project management and timetable
This section should:

• describe local project management arrangements
• explain the role of appointed advisors
• explain the procurement timetable

Site and statutory issues
This section should:

• explain the site ownership position
• explain the position on planning permission, for example has outline consent already been obtained?
• set out any other statutory approvals needed for initial or identified future projects