Report of the Director of Commissioning and Transformation.

The Director of Commissioning and Transformation (Nesta Hawker) introduced her report and attached Draft Commissioning Decisions Policy and Procedure.  Attached to it were:

·  Appendix B – Service Contract Review Checklist

·  Appendix C – Engagement and Consultation Guidance (V1.2 – May 2018)

·  Appendix D – Guidance for Consultation Level

It was noted that Appendix A – Commissioning Decision Process Flow Chart would be added later once the governance process was drawn up. This would either be circulated to Members for information or the report, in its entirety, would be presented to the JSCB for its endorsement.

The Director informed that the policyoutlinedtheprinciples,approachandprocesseswhichwouldbe followed byWirral Health and Care Commissioning (the Commissioner) tosupport effective decision making.

The Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (JSCB) was informed that its values were highlighted within the policy and these would underpin our decisions which were focused on ensuring the needs of people were at the centre of commissioning decision making and that processes would be clear and transparent. 

Decisions would be taken to secure services that were safe, legal and also improved outcomes for the population in the administrative area.  In doing this the JSCB would need to utilise resources effectively and maximise the use of the Wirral £.

The Policy covered decisions to invest, reinvest and dis-invest in services and included the process of reviewing existing contracts as part of contract management. The need to engage with stakeholders during the process of making a commissioning decision was highlighted within the Policy as was how this could inform and give assurance to the JSCB’s decision making process.

Board Members were informed that this was a joint policy which, following approval, would be adopted by the Commissioner.  It would ensure a consistent approach was adopted and that this process adhered to national guidance and best practice. 

Board Members were told that existing services were being reviewed to ascertain whether they were still aligned to strategic plans and the Healthy Wirral Plan.  The focus was on the benefits for the 3 Ps and making sure risk management and privacy guidelines were being taken into account. The general principles of engagement and consultation were being considered.  Decommissioning was also being considered and why such a decision would be made.  There would be impact assessments carried out on proposals. 

Board Members also noted that an alternative approach would be to retain separate decision making policies.  However, the Council did not currently have a published commissioning decision making policy or process.  The absence of such a policy would present significant risk to the integrated commissioner.

A general discussion ensued around the following issues:

·  How to gather positive patient feedback by being proactive and going out and asking questions and by using Patient Champion Councils.

·  Impact Assessments on proposals to change the way services are commissioned and/or delivered.

·  Levels of engagement - substantial service changes require scrutiny.  Minor changes do not require consultation.

·  The expectation for strong public engagement.  Difficulties in trying to quantify the breadth of consultation available.  How to consult with Public Advisory Groups and how to obtain patient’s views?

It was noted that NHS Wirral had still to formally change its Constitution to allow the JSCB to make decisions on its behalf but in the interim the NHS Members agreed to

RECOMMEND:

That the Commissioning Decisions Policy and Procedure be adopted.

Wirral Borough Council’s three Cabinet Members, sitting as a Committee of the Cabinet

RESOLVED:

That the Commissioning Decisions Policy and Procedure be adopted.