Event Report: Commissioning for Health; Introducing the Health Prospectus

Bradford and Airedale tPCT are currently in the process of commissioning health inequality reduction and health improvement services from the Voluntary and Community Sector.

This conference was an opportunity for Voluntary and Community Sector health organisations from the Bradford District to ask questions and access support to complete their application.

If you are a HealthNet member you will receive information from the delegate packs in the post on Monday 17^th December. Below is a summary of the key information from the conference.

The Commissioning Process

• Exciting opportunities for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) for a number of years
• Commissioning addresses health and well-being, a social rather than medical model
• There are a range of different commissioning streams via which VCS schemes are currently funded. All schemes have an end date of March 2008. If you are currently funded by the PCT it is important to know under which stream and the likelihood of being re-commissioned. This current tPCT commission is different to the existing schemes. Information was available in the delegate pack, and has been mailed to HealthNet members

Question and Answer Sessions

We are currently funded by the Strategic Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), do we need to apply for this fund or will SHIP continue to fund our scheme?

If you want to continue to deliver an existing project you need to speak to the tPCT to let them know of your intentions but you don’t need to complete the full application form.

Why not top slice the Practice Based Commissioning monies to commission the VCS?

The tCPT has agreed to additional monies across the alliances to reduce health inequalities but the alliances are not yet ‘up and running’

Can case studies be used in an application to evidence quality of service provision from the organisation?

Yes, but do this effectively by making it relevant and to the point or it may not get read. Case studies are an accepted and helpful form of evidence.

Is there an upper percentage limit for full cost recovery (FCR) calculations?

The tPCT has not and will not be setting an upper limit or formula for calculating FCR, this will be up to the individual. Do make it realistic as high calculations will be noticed. Organisations will not be penalised for including FCR and has a commitment to FCR. The tPCT would enter into negotiations with the organisation if the FCR calculation was felt to be high.

Is there an upper limit for applications?

There is not upper limit, however the tPCT is more likely to fund small to medium sized schemes. Defined as; small = 20k, medium 80k and large 120k+

Is the funding just for revenue or can it include capital costs?

Revenue only

Can applications be made from a partnership?

Yes this is completely acceptable

Do you have to apply for three years funding?

No, don’t apply for three years if your proposed scheme doesn’t require this.

Do schemes need to focus on a specific location or can they be district wide?

No, but evidence of need may come from neighbourhoods

Can organisations already funded by the PCT apply or only new organisations?

Both. The tPCT needs to become more strategic and fund locally based groups as well as its own deliverers.

What support will there be to build the capacity of the VCS?

There will be support for infrastructure organisations such as HealthNet, CNet and the CVSs. There may also be a need for specialised support e.g. mentoring role from PCT staff. Other safeguards for new organisations may be needed. Its important that smaller organisations don’t miss out.

Should Healthy Living Centres apply to this fund?

The 9 healthy living centres are getting core cost funding elsewhere so they should only come to this pot for projects

Workshops

Calculating Full Cost Recovery

Please see www.wycas.org.uk

Identifying Outcomes, Outputs and Measuring Impact

Definitions;

Inputs = What’s put in e.g. fitness coach, 5-a-day stall, cessation classes

Outputs = Work done/activity numbers e.g. parents trained

Outcomes = Effects e.g. higher self confidence, reduced infections

Impact = Long term change e.g. access

See also;

Proving the Health Need

Priority health needs and areas of inequality are identified in the commissioning prospectus through the critical issues and the specified geographical areas. The Sustainable Community Strategy, Local Area Agreement and some Local Area Action Plans also identify health inequalities.

Sources of information that can be used to identify health needs;

Internal; questionnaires, no of people turned away due to insufficient provision (i.e. unmet need), case study, consultation, exit interviews.

External; Are there any other service providers, both statutory and voluntary, that already meet this need? Talk to your local CVS and the tPCT, and search www.divabradford.org.uk to find out. Commissioners will not fund a scheme where something similar already exists.

There may be existing local health needs assessments, reports or research e.g. strategic partnership reports, Equity Centre LGB health needs assessment, Survivors ‘A View from Inside the Box’.

Partnership organisations may also hold relevant information e.g. do they need to refer service users to related services, but no provision currently exist e.g. crisis services, out of hours young peoples services, counselling.

Are there any local statistics from BMDC, the tPCT or through the Community Statistics Project at Bradford Resource Centre, that support the need for your scheme?

For further information see; www.fit4funding.org.uk/assets/uploads/files/proving_the_need.pdf

For further information please contact Rachel @ HealthNet