Department of Health

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Care services efficiency delivery

Supporting the implementation of independent recommendations to improve public sector efficiency.

The Department of Health established the Care Services Efficiency Delivery programme (CSED) in June 2004. The aim of CSED is to support the implementation, of the recommendations of an independent review of public sector efficiency, which was led by Sir Peter Gershon.

The programme works collaboratively with local councils, the NHS and service providers, in order to develop and support initiatives which provide sustainable efficiency improvements in adult social care. CSED has a target to assist councils to deliver £684 million in efficiency improvements in 2007 and 2008.

The development of six workstreams for efficiency improvement

The Care Services Efficiency Delivery programme carried out a series of collaborative visits with over 31 councils in England to assess opportunities for efficiency improvements. This led to the development of six major, interconnected and interdependent workstreams. Each workstream is designed to deliver end-to-end efficiency improvements to all councils with social services responsibilities (CSSRs) in England.

The six workstreams are focused on:

  • effective monitoring and modernisation of home-based care
  • assessment and care management
  • demand forecasting and capacity planning
  • homecare re-enablement
  • improved procurement practices
  • transforming community equipment and wheelchair services.

Active regional roll-out strategy

From the Department’s work with councils, a set of nine evidence-based initiatives have been produced and being rolled out throughout councils in England. Each initiative is designed to be easy to implement and drive speedy savings into key processes.

The programme is now being rolled-out through a regional strategy. Bringing the benefits of its work streams, initiatives and products to all nine Association of Directors of Adult Social Services regions, covering all 150 CSSRs in England.

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