Havering - North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee

Havering World Class Commissioning
Competency Assessment 30 Nov 2009

Introduction:

World Class Commissioning: NEL LPC Assessment of the six NE London PCTs

Year Ending November 2009

The world class commissioning programme sets out a framework to support PCTs in developing the competencies needed to commission high quality services that improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. This assessment of the six PCTs in the area against fair and objective criteria focuses on improving the quality of commissioning pharmaceutical services in primary care, by which we mean services such as the supply of medicines and advice, support for health and wellbeing, self-care and optimising patient benefits from improved medicines taking.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_097408

Why has the LPC produced the tool and carried out the assessment?

The assessment tool is specially developed by the LPC to support the PCTs achieve higher levels of competencies in World Class Commissioning (WCC). It is designed to be consistent with the Department of Health's WCC guidelines issued to the PCTs for commissioning services, and is also designed to:

•   assess their current performance in developing pharmacy services and integrating them with the rest of primary care,
  

•   identify their vision for community pharmacy in the future,
  

•   commission pharmacy services that meet the needs of their local communities, and
  

•   to help pharmacists understand the PCT objectives and work streams.
  

The tool is also designed to awaken the pharmacists to the thinking of the PCTs and possibilities for future service in their area, and to get ready for that future by managing change in practice, premises, IT and workforce. Consideration of integration and shortening patient journeys in the NHS is also important driving force that needs to be actively and imaginatively managed by offering solutions to identified problems.

The way the above mentioned services are commissioned will change in the future. In order to provide PCTs with adequate means by which they can determine from whom, when and where quality services are provided, along with proportionate and adequate powers to commission according to local needs, the current 'control of entry' test is expected to be replaced. Subject to parliamentary process, the Health Bill 2009 proposes that PCTs first develop and publish pharmaceutical needs assessment - PNA. Together with any other matters set out in Regulations, such as improvements in access (e.g. extended hours), choice and diversity of providers or services (e.g. review patient's medication), this will form the basis for future entry to the pharmaceutical list. The Bill also includes provision for a PCT to invite applications to be included on its pharmaceutical list, for example where they have identified there is a gap in provision, or they want to secure improvements in access, choice or quality.

Based on the assessment here the local pharmacists are urged to monitor the changing situation by working with the LPC and to accordingly produce their own business plan to protect and promote their business and professional assets.

Key to scoring:

Level 1: Does not meet level2 requirements

Level 2: Slightly Agree that PCT is meeting the requirements

Level 3: Agree that the PCT is meeting the requirements

Level 4: Strongly Agree that the PCT is meeting the requirements

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