Directly commissioned services reporting requirements

The four Contract Monitoring (ACM), Patient Level Contract Monitoring (PLCM), Drugs Patient Level Contract Monitoring (DrPLCM) and Devices Patient Level Contract Monitoring (DePLCM) are the file formats by which providers must report their healthcare activities commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement. There have been no changes to these four data sets from those listed 2020/21 apart from the associated service line codes. These formats must be used during 2021/22 until the implementation date of the revised versions detailed in the Information Standards Notices (ISNs) DCB2050, DCB3003, DCB2212 and DCB3002 that relate to these data sets, details of which can be found on the NHS Digital website Information Standards for Contract Monitoring.

The purpose of these standards is to enable the interchange, in a uniform format, of monthly contract monitoring data between commissioners and providers of healthcare. This ensures that contract monitoring and reporting is consistent and comparable across all commissioning organisations and their footprints.

From the ISN implementation date onwards, these four data sets will form the basis by which all commissioners (both NHS England and NHS Improvement and CCGs) will receive their routine contract monitoring from providers.

The user guidance document for each of the four contract monitoring data sets provides instructions to users with regards to their population and submission.

Information must be supplied from providers to fulfil the needs of the NHS England and NHS Improvement quality assessment process including annual self-declaration and selected peer review requirements. Information must also be provided for the Specialised Services Quality Dashboard. The URL of the Quality Surveillance Information System (QSIS) is www.qst.england.nhs.uk.

Four information standards for contract monitoring

Other reporting specifications

Other reference material