commissioning

Commissioning in the NHS is the process of ensuring that the health and care services provided effectively meet the needs of the population. It is a complex process with responsibilities ranging from assessing population needs, prioritising health outcomes, procuring products and services, and managing service providers.

Our commissioning Blogs

Proactive care from practice nurses improves social functioning for people with severe and recurrent depression

The results indicate that ICU staff, and particularly nurses, experienced high rates of probable mental illness and thoughts of self-harm.

The mental health charity Mind have published the findings of a three year study which explores whether regular proactive reviews delivered by nurses in GP practices results in better mental health and social outcomes for people living with depression.  The study was a randomised controlled trial carried out by a research team at University College London. [read the full story…]

NICE publish new quality standard on alcohol dependence and harmful alcohol use

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The press release from NICE says that: Quality standards are a set of specific, concise statements and associated measures [that] set out aspirational, but achievable, markers of high-quality, cost-effective patient care, covering the treatment and prevention of different diseases and conditions. NICE have already published quality standards on dementia and depression in adults and they have [read the full story…]

UK consensus statement on the identification and management of ADHD offenders within the criminal justice system

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The UK Adult ADHD Network has published a consensus statement on the identification and management of ADHD offenders within the criminal justice system (CJS). The document claims that ADHD is currently not on the criminal justice agenda, which is a concern given the disproportionately high rates of ADHD offenders compared with the normal population and [read the full story…]

Department of Health publish a diagnostic tool for emerging clinical commissioning groups

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The Department of Health have produced a diagnostic tool for emerging clinical commissioning groups, to help them understand and reflect upon their values, culture, behaviour and wider organisational health. The tool is an Excel spreadsheet that groups can use to identify their developmental needs. It includes sections on: Clinical focus and added value Engagement with [read the full story…]

Department of Health publish a simple guide to payment by results

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Payment by Results (PbR) is the tariff based payment system that has transformed the way funding flows around the NHS in England. This short guide is an introduction to the subject and supersedes the guide published by the DH in September 2010. The basic facts about Payment by Results from the guide are: PbR is [read the full story…]

Commissioning prison based substance misuse services: new guidance from the Department of Health

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The Department of Health in conjunction with the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has issued guidance on commissioning prison based substance misuse services for 2011/12. The guidance takes the form of a letter with an appendix from Richard Bradshaw (Director, Offender Health), Ian Poree (Director of Service Development NOMS) and Rosanna O’Connor (Director of [read the full story…]

The mental health impact of involuntary unemployment: the recession and the people of Bradford

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The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have today published five reports focusing on the impact of the recession on the people of Bradford. One study looked at the impact that involuntary unemployment can have on people’s mental health and well-being by investigating the coping strategies and emotional support that people require when they experience stressful life events [read the full story…]

Dementia commissioning pack launched by Department of Health

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The Dementia Commissioning Pack provides practical resources for health and social care commissioners to work together to improve the quality of both specialist dementia services and general health and care services for people with dementia and their carers. The pack has been developed in consultation with a range of health and social care experts, including [read the full story…]

‘No health without mental health’ briefings from the Mental Health Strategic Partnership

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Following the publication of the Government’s mental health strategy, No Health without Mental Health in February 2011, the Mental Health Strategic Partnership has published two briefings aimed at general practice and community organisations. The Mental Health Strategic Partnership brings together seven national mental health voluntary sector organisations to work with the Department of Health to support [read the full story…]

Improving the mental health of Londoners

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London Health Programmes have published a series of documents from their Models of Care project that will be of particular interest to commissioners. The mental health case for change explores the reasons behind why mental health services in London need to change and the evidence to support the recommendations. The mental health models of care [read the full story…]