2014/15 NHS Standard Contract

The NHS Standard Contract is mandated by NHS England for use by commissioners for all contracts for healthcare services other than primary care. The 2014/15 NHS Standard Contract is available for use by commissioners both in paper form and as an electronic document through the eContract system.

Like the 2013/14 Contract, the 2014/15 NHS Standard Contract comprises three parts:

If you would like to be added to our stakeholder list to receive updates on the NHS Standard Contract, please email your contact details to: england.contractsengagement@nhs.net

eContract

The eContract allows tailoring of the contract to reflect the specific services provided, so that the relevant Service Conditions and Schedules appear. We strongly recommend that commissioners utilise the eContract system.

National Variations to prior year NHS Standard Contracts

Guidance on the process to effect the mandatory 2014/15 National Variation to existing contracts the terms of which extend beyond 31 March 2014 is available here:

The simple template Variation Agreement for use when effecting the 2014/15 National Variation by Option 1 (Updating existing eContract) or Option 2 (Transfer to eContract) is available here:

The following National Variation Agreements, for use when effecting the 2014/15 National Variation by Option 3 (not using the eContract system) are available here:

National Variation Agreements for contracts in 2011/12 form are available here:

Guidance on the variations process is available here:

CQUIN

The Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) scheme for 2014/15 provides a national framework through which organisations providing healthcare services under the NHS Standard Contract can earn incentive payments of up to 2.5% of their contract value by achieving agreed national and local goals for service quality improvement. The CQUIN guidance provides details about the operation of the CQUIN scheme for 2014/15 and sets out the mandated national indicators.

Following stakeholder feedback, the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) guidance originally published in December 2013 has been reissued. A summary of the changes is provided in Appendix D of the CQUIN Guidance.

Additional guidance on the mental health indicator:

Contract Support

Model Collaborative Commissioning Agreements

Fair Deal for Staff Pensions

Pro Forma Contract Management Forms

Pro Forma Change in Control Notification

Further support

These documents are designed to support you in the use of the contract. However, where you require clarification and additional support, this can be obtained by contacting us at: nhscb.contractshelp@nhs.net

Engagement and consultation – August 2014 (Now closed)

NHS England is now starting work on updating the NHS Standard Contract for 2015/16. We wish to engage with all those with an interest in the NHS Standard Contract to assess how we can continue to improve the Contract.

The discussion paper below sets out some key issues on which we would particularly welcome feedback from stakeholders. Please send your comments on the response document provided, by Friday 12 September 2014, to: england.contractsengagement@nhs.net.

Engagement and consultation – December 2014 (Now closed)

We received over 180 separate responses from individuals and organisations to our discussion paper published in August 2014. The consultation paper below summarises the main themes in the feedback we received, and the way we have responded in developing the draft NHS Standard Contract for 2015/16.

Comments should be sent by 31 December 2014 to mailto:england.contractsengagement@nhs.net.

Equality Impact Assessment

Public health services for 0-5 year-olds – transfer of commissioning responsibilities to local authorities

Previous contracts and guidance

Template for database of innovative commissioning and contracting approaches
(Publications Gateway Ref No. 01869)

Dispute Resolution Process between Commissioners and Providers for the 2014/15 Contracting Process
(Publications Gateway Ref No. 01225)

There is a clear expectation that providers and commissioners will have signed contracts in place for the provision of NHS services by 28 February 2014. Where this has not been achieved and a contract between provider and a commissioner remains unsigned, both parties will now automatically trigger the dispute resolution process.

Model Variation Agreement for RTT backlog clearance activity

NHS England, Monitor and the Trust Development Agency wrote to NHS Foundation Trusts and NHS Trusts, CCGs and Area Teams in September 2014 (Gateway ref 02290) setting out arrangements for securing the additional RTT activity needed by 30 November 2014.