The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) has today published a document, Securing Excellence in GP IT Services, explaining how the management of IT systems for GP practices will be organised from April 2013. It enables clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to make decisions to suit particular local requirements, ensuring information and technology supports clinical commissioning to improve health outcomes for patients.
From April 2013, the NHS CB will be responsible for primary care information services. It will delegate responsibility for operational management of GP IT services along with associated funding, to CCGs. This will include provision of clinical systems and associated hardware and network services; and provision of support services such as training to GP practices.
CCGs, on behalf of the NHS CB, may commission GP IT services from appropriate providers, such as commissioning support units (CSUs), or may choose to deliver these services themselves. Any appointed GP IT service provider will need to meet a set of quality standards, determined by the NHS CB in conjunction with CCGs.
Under the new system, the NHS CB will continue to provide national funding directly to CCGs to cover local costs for the provision of core, mandated and some discretionary services transferred from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
Procurement of GP clinical systems through the GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) scheme and local service providers, or any national systems, will continue to be supported nationally.
The operating model is being published now to enable CCGs and the NHS CB to work towards the new system and ensure delivery by April.
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We at openGPSoC welcome the publishing of the Operating Model – its just in time for the openGPSoC Town Hall Meeting this weekend (8th Dec) where we will be working on the roadmap for the project.
Can you please confirm who is the SRO/Owner of the GP IT program at NHS CB? Can we at openGPSoC come and meet with you?
Hi Rob
Thank you very much for your comment, I’ll contact you directly with the details.
Kind regards
Simon
Simon, many thanks for the prompt contact via email. Good to see such a digitally responsive public body. Rob
Simon
I would also be interested in knowing who the SRO is at the NCB. I have recently been appointed as Head of Patients and Information at the Cheshire and Merseyside CSU and we are looking to develop mechanisms for patient and public invovlement (both individual and collective) via technology at GP practice level.
Kind regards
Hilda
Hi Hilda
Thank you for your comment. Of course, I’ll contact you directly with the details.
Kind regards
Simon
Hi Simon,
Sorry another request for the owner/SRO of the document. I’m the Head of Operations for the Information Standards Management Service, there are some discrepancies/anomalies that I would like to discuss, if you could let me have contact details?
Thanks
Neil
Hi Neil
Thank you for your comment, I’ve emailed you the details.
Kind regards
Simno
Hi Simon
Please can you also send me the contact. Thanks Matt
PS Also do you think you could also leave your surname on messages and job title, just to make things more transparent in the NHS CB on who is who and doing what!
thanks
Hi Matt
Thanks for your comment, I’ve emailed you the contact details.
Kind regards
Simon
Simon
Digital Communications Officer
NHS Commissioning Board
The operating model seems to say that existing GP IT kit at 31.3.2013 wil be transferred to NHS CB but CCGs will purchase and own new GP IT kit acquired in 2013/14 – resulting in a mixed ownership model. Is this correct?
Hi Jim
Thank you for your comment. The operating model is an interim arrangement to safely transfer services and ensure business continuity until NHS CB produce a single operating model in 2013/14 which will address this issue.
Kind regards
Simon
Simon
Digital Communications Officer
NHS Commissioning Board
Why does the name of the SRO/Owner of the GP IT program at NHS CB appear to be a secret?
I cannot access the “Securing Excellence in GP IT Services” document, not sure why.
According to Rebecca Todd of E-Health Insider, “The report timetable states that CCGs should commission these services by the end of this month in order for providers to take over delivery from next April.”
This gives CCGs less than 1 month to plan for these “Excellent GP IT Services”. Does this seem reasonable?
Hi Andy
Thank you for your comment. Due to our information governance regulations, i’m not able to publish the name and contact details of the member of staff on comments feed of the website though I have permission to give that information via email when requested. For your convenience, I’ve sent the document to you by email.
The expectation is that CCGs IT desktop services will be provided by existing or local arrangements that would continue and evolve over time. The timetable in the operating model is high-level and indicative. As the GP IT Services operating model is now published and gives the direction of responsibilities, steps for implementing these arrangements should be carried-out with immediate effect.
Kind regards
Simon
Simon
Digital Communications Officer
NHS Commissioning Board
Hi Simon,
Please could you also send me the contact details for the SRO/Owner of the GP IT program at NHS CB,
Thanks
Hi John
Thank you for your comment, I’ll contact you directly with the details.
Kind regards
Simon
Digital Communications Officer
NHS Commissioning Board