Lord Darzi mounts defence as NSR comes under fire

PCTs come in for criticism on several fronts by the Health Select Committee following its enquiry into the Next Stage Review.

Poor commissioning, inadequate recruitment and management and patchy delivery of cost savings were singled out, but the report also leveled criticism at the strategy of developing GP-led health centres in every PCT area. Questioning the evidence for opening the centres across the country, the HSC suggested that decisions to create them should be taken on a case-by-case basis.

In a robust defence of the policy, Lord Darzi said: "We make no apology for giving PCTs extra funding for GP-led health centres. Every single part of the country would benefit from the additional capacity and patients have told us that they want greater choice and flexibility in primary care. PCTs, working with the public and clinicians, should identify the most appropriate location for their GP-led health centre and discuss what services should be provided to meet local health needs."

In a reference to the world class commissioning assurance process, Lord Darzi also said that PCTs' commissioning skills would be increasingly tested and held to account and that leadership and management training were priorities.

Nor did he accept the charge that efficiency targets were slipping: "Improving the quality of services will undoubtedly lead to efficiencies, not only in financial savings but also in a more efficient patient journey through the NHS," he said.

New formula gives PCTs reassurance on mid-term funding

PCTs will receive funding increases of 5.5% over the next two years worth £8.6 billion in real terms, taking the total investment in the NHS to £164 billion between 2009 and 2011. PCT revenue allocations are based on a new funding formula developed by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA), an independent body that oversees the development of the funding formula and makes recommendations to ministers on possible changes to the formula.

The reports, including a report covering ACRA's role in the development and application of the weighted capitation formula, are available here.

DH consults on use of 084 numbers

The Department of Health is considering prohibiting the use of 084 numbers in the NHS. This consultation document seeks views from all interested parties.

The large-print version of the document is available here.

Deadline looms for PwSI accreditation

PwSI accreditation both for services and practitioners is required by 31 March 2009. Accreditation and re-accreditation will need to be carried out by a group of competent accreditors including a senior commissioner, a senior professional representative (LMC, PEC or LPC), a clinician and a lay person. Further information is available here.

The importance of meeting the deadline will be underlined at the national event to be run on 12 February in London. The event will focus on two recent pieces of guidance on urology and dermatology - both part of the Care Closer to Home programme - and how to commission services to enable sustainable shifts of care in the context of Darzi Next Steps and world class commissioning. There will be a keynote speech from Charles Dobson, head of quality strategy, Department of Health, and a presentation on the accreditation process by Beth Taylor, chair of English Pharmacy Board, Southwark PCT. Book a place at the event here.

NHS Networks poll seeks to identify key drivers of PBC

As it prepares to launch a network for all parties interested in practice-based commissioning (PBC), NHS Networks is running the first in a series of polls designed to discover the drivers and obstacles to PBC. What should PCTs do to stimulate PBC? How can they achieve clinical engagement? What improvements will need to be made in governance and contestability?

Vote in the poll and take the opportunity to air you views on the key issues affecting PBC.

Monthly audiology statistics published for the first time

Monthly waiting time stats for direct access to audiology are published for the first time. Previously, all data published up until this point has shown waits for audiology diagnostic assessments rather than treatment. Nationally, the NHS has made great progress in dramatically reducing waiting times for audiology diagnostic assessments to an average of 2.2 weeks. This new data collection will help the NHS achieve lower waits for people accessing audiology services directly and the challenge now is for the NHS to bring them into line with the operational standard for 18 weeks. The statistics are available here.

New guidance on organisation and governance for community services

New guidance is available on organisational forms and their legal and governance frameworks that PCTs might consider when determining future arrangements for their community services. It is one of a suite of linked guidance and toolkits being published under the Transforming Community Services programme. Enabling New Patterns of Provision is available here.

Latest figures show continued progress on GP access

Figures for December, published last week, show a continuing improvement in GP access. The percentage of GP practices offering extended hours across England has increased to 69.2%. The figure for November was 65% and for October, 58%. The figures comfortably exceed the original target of 50% of practices offering extended hours by the end of 2008.

Further information is available from the Department of Health.

Northants balanced scorecard enables better quality measurement

Balanced scorecards, also known as quality frameworks, provide powerful tools for PCTs to manage quality issues with providers. By establishing a framework for measurement that puts quality on a more objective footing, commissioners can start to make real impact on quality and target support for providers where it is most needed. Northamptonshire PCT has created an excellent example which we first flagged in New@PCC in December. It is now available here.

Pharmacy provisions contained in the Health Bill

The Health Bill contained several provisions for pharmacy. Following the consultation last autumn, these include a number of proposals for legislative change around market entry, quality and performance and local pharmaceutical services. These cover replacement of the current control of entry system with pharmaceutical needs assessments, new powers for PCTs to take appropriate action on quality grounds where contractors are under-performing and amendments to the current LPS legislation to allow PCTs to provide such services directly in prescribed circumstances such as emergencies.

Details of the bill are on the DH site.

Operating Framework requires PCTs to consider Pharmacy White Paper

It may have escaped some people's notice, but the Operating Framework published in December specifically mentions pharmacy for the first time. In Chapter 2, High Quality Care for Patients and the Public, para 28 states: PCTs should also pay due regard to Pharmacy in England: building on strengths, delivering the future when developing pharmaceutical services.

The Operating Framework is here. The Pharmacy White Paper is here.

Draft Pharmacy Order 2009 consultation events

The Department of Health and its counterparts in Scotland and Wales are working with NHS PCC to arrange five consultation events to seek the views of key audiences on the draft Pharmacy Order 2009. The aim is to seek the views of professionals, patients and the public on the establishment of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) - the new professional regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises - in 2010.

These events will be run by NHS PCC. Please book at www.pcc.nhs.uk/events.

2009 dental SFEs

The Department of Health has confirmed that the SFEs for GDS and PDS will be published before the end of the month. These will be available on the DH website, and linked from our website.

NHS IC publishes 2007 dental prescribing stats

The NHS Information Centre has published Prescribing by Dentists, 2007: England. The statistics show that prescribing of fluoride toothpaste and dental rinse has risen significantly between 2006 and 2007.

Key messages for PCTs

This paper has been published following a series of targeted support visits by NHS PCC to selected PCTs. It sets out to share key lessons learned around commissioning quality NHS dental services for optimum access.

Achieving 18 weeks: top tips for PCTs

Consultant-led specialist dental services are covered by 18 weeks pathways, yet not all PCTs have considered achieving 18 weeks as a priority in this area. This paper, produced by NHS PCC, offers some useful information from trusts that have already started to make improvements in achieving 18 weeks for dentistry.

Building foundations for world class commissioning

This series of events continues to be extremely popular, with the eye care events booking quickly. The event on 22 January in Birmingham is now full but some spaces remain on 28 January in Cambridge. These events are aimed at new managers who deal with GOS contracting processes, commissioning eye care services locally, services from optometrists and OMPs and the robust management of these contracts in line with world class commissioning. Book places here.

Call for interest in specialist practice quality indicators

NHS PCC would like to establish potential levels of interest in quality indicators for specialist practice areas to assess the need for additional programmes in 2009/10. Anyone interested in the needs of university, asylum seekers and homeless populations should contact Primary Care Contracting Advisor Bill May by email at bill.may@pcc.nhs.uk.

QOF Management Guide volume 2 now available

The second part of NHS PCC's comprehensive three-volume guide to QOF is published today. Download a copy.

Contract Manager - NHS South of Tyne & Wear
Job ref: 735-SOTW08-387

PCTs can provide details of their vacancies to be included in this section. Contact your local advisor if you would like a vacancy in your PCT featured.

Subscriber only events

Other

Event open to all

January 2009

• 20th: By Invitation Only: Suffolk PCT and Suffolk LDC - Dental Overview Event with the Chief Dental Officer - Barry Cockcroft - Trinity Park Conference & Event Centre, Ipswich IP3 8UH
• 21st: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - De Vere University Arms,
• 22nd: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Eye Care - Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham B5 4EW
• 23rd: South West Commissioning GMS & PMS Services in the context of the Primary Care & Community Services Strategy - Holiday Inn Taunton, Taunton TA1 2UA
• 26th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - The Cleve Hotel & Country Club, Wellington TA21 8SN
• 27th: World Class Commissioning and System Management - The Brewery, London EC1Y 4SD
• 28th: Building Foundations for World Class Commissioning for Primary Care - Eye Care - Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne CB23 6BW
• 29th: NHS London - Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care, ITT Evaluation Re-run - Portland Place, W1,
• 30th: Draft Pharmacy Order 2009 Consultation Event (Professionals) - The Queen's, Leeds LS1 1PL

February 2009

• 2nd: North West QOF Leads Network Meeting - Tickled Trout Hotel, Preston, PR5 0UJ, Preston PR5 0UJ
• 3rd: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - Holiday Inn Regents Park, London W1W 5EE
• 4th: NW Primary Care Finance Leads Network - The Fir Grove, Warrington WA4 2LD
• 5th: The New NHS Standard Contract: Mental Health and Community Contracts Implementation Workshops - Reebok Stadium: Bolton Wanderers FC / Devere Whites Hotel, Bolton BL6 6JW

For further event dates please see www.pcc.nhs.uk/events

Other events

Procurement and contracting support training courses for PCT commissioners

The programme is made up of a suite of bespoke and PCT-contextualised training courses, designed to enable those directly and indirectly involved in the process of securing and commissioning health-related resources from a range of internal and external providers, in compliance with the appropriate regulations and procedures.

The courses have been specifically designed to cover the knowledge, core skills and competencies required by PCT commissioners. Each course builds upon the previous event to form a coherent body of knowledge. It is therefore recommended that participants undertake all six courses in the programmed order.

For further information and to book, please go to www.pcc.nhs.uk/events/pasa.