Prepare your SOC

This section gives guidance on how to prepare a SOC. It focuses on PCT-led projects although much of the information is applicable to NHS trusts or other provider-led initiatives.

It explains good practice principles such as thinking about the needs of your audience and giving plenty of facts and evidence. It also give details about the types of information that the document should include. This section is not intended to offer a template for all SOCs. An example of a SOC prepared by a PCT is included.

A full list of the headings that will need to be considered when developing a SOC are as follows

• Executive summary
• Introduction
  • Work to date and objectives of the SOC.
• Strategic context
  • Drivers for change.
  • Objectives.
  • Benefits.
• Development of options
  • Long list of options with a brief discussion of the pros/cons of each.
  • Short list of options. At least three or four options – ranked in order of preference and stating, for each, the significant benefits/constraints.
• Financial implications
  • This section needs to discuss the costs compared to the benefits/value for money for each short-listed option.
  • Possible financing arrangements.
• Identification of a preferred option
  • This section needs to include a summary of scores of the short-listed options.
  • Identification of a preferred option and a list of uncertainties e.g. How many of the GPs or other primary/social care providers would move to the new premises?
  • The preferred option will need to be detailed in terms of specific benefits to be gained in relation to costs involved. Why is this option better than the other short-listed options?
• Conclusion

Further reading

An example of a SOC is available as a downloadable document.