On 12th July 2010 the Department of Health (DoH) published its White Paper Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS. The document outlined the Government’s plans to devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services to the healthcare professionals closest to patients: GPs and their practice teams working in consortia. The White Paper can be downloaded here:- http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_117353
In addition to the White Paper there are four consultation documents currently available.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_117587
2) Liberating the NHS: Increasing democratic legitimacy in health - also published on 22nd July 2010 and consults on local authorities being given a stronger role in patient choice, taking on local public health improvement functions and promoting more effective NHS, social care and public health commissioning arrangements. Closing date 11th October 2010.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_117586
3) Transparency in Outcomes: A Framework for the NHS - this is the outcomes paper I referred to at the IG meeting which was published on 19th July 2010. Here the DoH ask for views how the NHS Outcomes Framework should be developed. Closing date 11th October 2010.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_117583
4) Liberating the NHS: Regulating Healthcare Providers – published on 26th July 2010 this document provides further information on proposals for foundation trusts and to establish an independent economic regulator for health and adult social care. It seeks views on a number of specific consultation questions. Closing date 11th October 2010.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_117782
April 2010
WatCom held the March Implementation Group meeting at the Niland Centre having invited Anne Walker and Stuart Bloom, NHS Hertfordshire Chief Executive and Chair respectively, to make key contributions to the debate with member practices on the topic of PBC - 2010 and beyond.
With the ultimate challenge of commissioning services and achieivng financial balance (or better) at the end of the next three years (i.e. 2012/13) both parties, the PCT and WatCom, recognise the need to work far more closely together while at the same time making the most of the opportunities that present themselves. This includes more robust contract monitoring and the continued development of the working relationship between WatCom and NHS Hertfordshire so that this partnership can meet the future challenges of commissioning services in an ever more demanding environment.
For 2010/11 Drs Borkett-Jones and Moring will co-Chiar WatCom and during this meeting a presentation together with vote of thanks was made to Dr Ian Isaac for his tenure as Chair over the previous 4 years.