NACPACT ON LINE BROADCAST Developing PCT Commissioning for NHS Direct Paul Jenkins Acting National Director

What I hope to cover Background to service Opportunities for PCT commissioning Commissioning arrangements for 2004/5 OOH services Direction of travel for the future

Background to the service Launched 1998 – national coverage in November 2000 Handled over 20 million calls and nearly 10 million visitors to its website Established a reputation as a safe and popular service Worked with the wider NHS on a range of initiatives which demonstrate the impact it can have in the wider health care system

National objectives for the next 3 years Growth in core service OOH clinical integration Booking Management Service Multi-channel developments – eg Digital TV Improvements in productivity and clinical sorting

Structual changes from 1st April Creation of a national Special Health Authority to manage the delivery of NHS Direct and to ensure consistency, focus and economies of scale Devolution of funding and commissioning responsibility to PCTs to deliver wider ownership of priorities and to ensure integration with wider NHS objectives

PCT commissioning for NHS Direct– opportunities Scope for joined up commissioning of unscheduled care Opportunity to influence service development agenda Focused local accountability and some choice Local information and feedback on activity

Commissioning Framework Developed in partnership with PCT and SHA representatives Launched in Feb 2004 Consortia based approach 2004/5 steady state – tariffs equal allocations National quality framework and national tariffs 3 service categories

NHS Direct service categories Nationally directed – 0845, website and from later this year digital tv Nationally enhanced – OOH clinical integration and Booking Management Service Locally enhanced

Progress so far Most consortia formed – likely to be around 40 nationally 1-2 per SHA – link with REC groups Initial work underway and contracts being issued

OOH clinical integration Provider of choice for clinical integration by Dec 2006 Aiming to maximise contribution in 2004/5 where PCTs want to fast track integration Scope for flexible service models with other providers within key constraints

Future development of Commissioning - issues Significant (£50 million) uplift in funding for 2005/6 Move to cost and volume for core 0845 service Clarification of timetable for clinical integration Clarification of options for PCT choice and service models More sophisticated information flows

PCT Commissioning – the litmus tests Effective engagement and communications Transparency on cost, quality and performance Demonstration of added value for local health economies Involvement in wider agendas – REC Tailoring resilient national services to local needs Working effectively with other providers