Framework lays plans for flexible commissioning
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GPs could find themselves ordering double-glazing |
A framework to help commissioners deliver NHS services effectively and to improve both the health and well-being of individuals has been published by the Department of Health.
It includes proposals that would see the NHS paying for services more
traditionally aligned with social care — for example, it suggests
that GPs might arrange for double-glazing to be fitted in the homes of
people with breathing difficulties. It also proposes a new duty for councils,
primary care trusts and practice-based commissioners to prepare joint
strategic needs assessments.
The document suggests that more needs to be done to provide incentives
for innovation and to join up services, adding that there are too few
providers. It also recommends that commissioners should develop strong
partnerships with providers and engage them in needs assessments.
“Procurement should be transparent and fair. Commissioning will
be focused on outcomes, leading to more innovative provision, tailored
to the needs
of individuals and supplied by a wider range of providers,” it
states.
The framework was launched by health secretary Patricia Hewitt at a conference
in London this week, who also announced an extra £8.9m funding
for local authorities across England to invest in schemes to tackle health
inequalities.
She said: “We need to radically change the culture of how we shape
and deliver care — shifting focus from curing the sick to the proactive
prevention of ill health, as well as tackling health inequalities. I
want to see greater flexibility in the use of resources to target investment
where it will have biggest impact to improve health and prevent premature
death.”
The “Commissioning
framework for health and wellbeing” is
open for comment until 28 May 2007.
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
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