Website of the Department of Health

25 June 2008: Innovation workshops available to support world class commissioning

A number of free innovation workshops are scheduled for October 2008 to help PCT and PbC commissioners develop an innovative approach to commissioning. Teams attending the workshops will learn to apply the techniques outlined in ‘Commissioning to make a bigger difference’, to local issues.  In particular they will understand how to assess innovation in service proposals and create the right conditions for innovation to thrive.

To register your interest in attending a workshop, please contact:

• gina.shakespeare@dh.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

Further information about the workshops is available at:

• Commissioning to make a bigger difference - A guide for NHS and social care commissioners on promoting service innovation

4 June 2008: World class commissioning assurance system launched

On 4 June, the Department of Health, together with the NHS, launched the world class commissioning assurance system.

Commissioning assurance is a new system for measuring PCT commissioning performance.  It is one national system, managed locally by the SHAs, which will hold commissioners to account, reward performance, and ensure health outcomes are improving.

The assurance system will measure performance in three key areas:  health outcomes, competencies, and governance.  It will also include an assessment of the PCT’s potential for improvement.  These will be reviewed through a combination of self assessment, self certification, data and evidence review, feedback from partners and interviews at the panel day.  PCTs will be expected to have completed the first cycle of assurance by March 2009.

Commenting on the system, Mark Britnell, Director General of Commissioning and Systems Management at the Department of health says -  “Commissioning assurance will be absolutely key to driving performance and guiding PCT development and will recognise and reward commissioners as they progress towards world class.  However, commissioning assurance is not an end in itself.  To be successful, commissioners will need to demonstrate better health outcomes for the people and communities they serve; adding life to years and years to life.”

• More information on commissioning assurance and the assurance toolkit

23 April 2008: Assurance masterclasses to be held on 4 and 6 June

On 4 and 6 June, the Department of Health will hold two world class commissioning assurance masterclasses.

The assurance  system has been developed in partnership with the NHS, and the Department of Health is currently working with all SHAs and a McKinsey-led consultancy support team to finalise the content and build the infrastructure and processes needed for delivery. The system will be finalised by the beginning of June, with the first assessments taking place later this year. PCTs will be expected to conduct self assessments over the summer, and will take part in a panel review in November/December. The purpose of this masterclass will be to ensure that all PCTs and their key partners understand the details of the new system and what it will mean for them.

The masterclass will offer a practical opportunity to understand the different components of the system, ask questions, and attend breakout sessions focused on specific elements of assurance. Delegates will also receive an update on work in other related areas.

The two masterclasses will take place as follows:

• Wednesday 4 June at the Midland Hotel, Manchester (aimed at PCTs from North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands)
• Friday 6 June at The Brewery, London (aimed at PCTs from East Midlands, East of England, South Central, South East Coast, London and South West)

Across the two masterclasses, there are a maximum of four delegate places allocated for each PCT and 3 for each SHA.

Due to the masterclass-style of this event, the event is likely to be of most value if teams attend the same date together. It would be most helpful if PCTs could attend the event which is targeted at their SHA region (although places will still be made available at the other venue if this is not possible), as each event may include regionally tailored breakout sessions.

Bookings for the event will be taken on a first come first served basis via the NHS PCC website:

• World Class Commissioning masterclass, Manchester, 4 June 2008 (opens new window)
• World Class Commissioning masterclass, London, 6 June 2008 (opens new window)

12 March 2008: Innovative consortium to support world class commissioning programme

• Download further details (PDF, 26K)