06.06.16
New NHS CCG performance framework includes rating for STPs
CCG improvement will be assessed by an ambitious framework of 56 indicators, including ratings for sustainability and transformation plans (STPs), designed to measure their progress in delivering the Five Year Forward View, from this year.
The new framework is split into four sections – ‘better health’, ‘better care’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘well led’. According to the guidance, the framework is designed to foster a supportive relationship between CCGs and local NHS teams.
“We are in it together - with joint responsibility for helping each other transform and sustain the NHS,” it says. “The purpose of engendering mutual assistance and taking timely action where needed, should be as valuable as the formal act of annual assessment.”
However, the guidelines say that it can also be used to provide a structure for intervention where NHS England has “very grave concerns” about a CCG.
With regards to STPs, which need to be submitted by the end of the month, the framework notes that each CCG will be assessed on progress for the whole STP, not their individual contribution to the plan, reflecting the necessity of partnership working for the success of the STPs and local transformation.
The rating of STPs will be a RAG rating – GREEN, AMBER or RED. The first assessment will be in July 2016 with the submission of STP plans with the next assessment in March 2017.
NHS England added that the indicator will report progress on the STP that each CCG is part of, starting in 2016-17 with the development of the plan, through to implementation in future years. However, the key lines of enquiry will be refreshed in 2017/18 to focus more on implementation and delivery against the STP.
The ‘well led’ measures include assessing the ambition and delivery of the CCG’s sustainability and transformation plan.
It will also be assessed on its improvement of racial diversity, which a recent report highlighted as a major concern in the NHS.
The sustainability measures include outcome in areas where room for improvement has been identified, implementation of new models of care and implementation of a local digital roadmap.
The measurement factors under ‘better health’ include the percentage of children aged 10-11 classified as overweight or obese, support for people with long-term health conditions and the reduction of antibiotic prescriptions.
The factors for ‘better care’ include five mental health factors, following a government commitment to improve its record on mental health care, as well as areas such as cancer, dementia and neonatal care.
The CCGs improvements in clinical priority areas will be overseen by independent groups whose chairs are as follows:
- Mental health: Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind
- Dementia: Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society
- Learning disabilities: Rob Webster, former CEO of NHS Confederation and Gavin Harding, Learning Disability Advisor, NHS England
- Cancer: Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK
- Diabetes: Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK
- Maternity: Baroness Julia Cumberlege, Chair of National Maternity Review
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