13.12.12
Specialised services consultation launched
Patients should be able to access the same standard of service and benefit from the same clinical policy for specialised services across England, the NHS Commissioning Board has proposed.
Draft service specifications are now out to consultation from December 12 until January 18.
The specifications cover a wide variety of complex conditions, including cleft lip and palate surgery, sickle cell, secure mental health services and children’s cancer services.
The approach will clearly set out what commissioners want from a service, in terms of clinical practice, evidence base, quality standards and access criteria, to tackle variation in access and service.
Where providers are unable to move to the agreed common standards by April 2013, the NHS Commissioning Board will put in place time limited exceptions (or derogations) allowing providers to continue providing essential quality services for their patients whilst working to meet the new rigorous and coherent service specifications.
A final report outlining the new arrangements is expected to be published in February 2013.
James Palmer, clinical director for specialised services at the NHS CB said: “At the heart of this new approach is our commitment to ensuring patient safety and providing consistent standards of care and accessibility to all who need these services regardless of what part of the country they live in. We want to set the bar high and have a nationally consistent system of care that is fair to all.
“At the same time we want to build high quality long term relationships with specialist providers to improve the services we offer and work with commercial organisations to keep pace with new drugs and technologies that come on stream.
“We want to hear from providers, medical staff, patients and groups supporting these specialist areas as to how we can make these services work better for patients and their families. If change is necessary we will address this.”
Jo Osmond, director of clinical care and commissioning at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust said: “Providing specialist care through multi-disciplinary teams with expertise in treating CF is the right model to ensure the best outcomes for those living with the condition.”
John James, CEO of the Sickle Cell Society, also welcomed the consultation, and added that it was vital that area teams contracting for services across the country work closely with CCGs to ensure that: “the primary and community element of the care pathway is prioritised to ensure consistent standards of care.”
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