New operating model for the commissioning of offender health care
The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) has published the single operating model for the commissioning of offender health services.
From April 2013, the NHS CB will be introducing a step change in the commissioning of offender health services. The intention is to move away from regionally and locally isolated commissioning to a clear and consistent national approach, with national standards based on the best available evidence to ensure efficient provision of care, and improved health outcomes.
Securing Excellence in Commissioning for Offender Health sets out the national strategy for commissioning and how it will be co-ordinated via the four NHS CB regional teams. It also outlines how the NHS CB will move towards a national contract framework with a national set of service specifications, standards, policies and quality measures.
To ensure local decisions about services are made as close to health communities as possible, 10 area teams of the NHS CB will take on the responsibility across England for contracting and the delivery of services for people in prison, other secure accommodation and for victims of sexual assault.
These are:
| Region | Lead area teams |
| North | Lancashire Durham, Darlington & Tees West Yorkshire |
| Midlands and East | Shropshire & Staffordshire Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire East Anglia |
| South | Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset & South Gloucestershire Kent & Medway Thames Valley |
| London | London will work as one team |
In addition, the NHS CB will work in partnership with all national stakeholders, as well as CCGs and other local stakeholders, to ensure that the whole patient pathway is as locally responsive as possible in meeting patients’ needs.