Commissioning
Commissioning in the NHS is the process by which it ensures that health and care services are provided most effectively and meet the needs of the population. It is a complex process with responsibilities ranging from assessing population needs and prioritising health outcomes, to procuring products and services, and managing service providers.
Commissioning Made Simple
It is important that LOCs/ROCs understand the commissioning process from the PCT or Health Board's point of view. It is only by understanding the pressures that commissioners work under and what their criteria for success are, that LOCs/ROCs will learn how to tailor their tenders and business plans appropriately. LOCSU has produced an information leaflet explaining the commissioning process which you can access by clicking here
Department of Health - Commissioning Toolkit for Community Based Eye Care Services 2007
The Department of Health launced its toolkit for community based eye care services in January 2007. This toolkit, emerging from the General Ophthalmic Services Review, builds on the work of the Eye Care Services Steering Group and their pilot eye care pathways. It is intended to offer practical advice for Primary Care Trusts and practice based commissioners on commissioning community based eye care services. The toolkit is available as a pdf document to the right of this page or click here for more information on the Department of Health website.
NHS Primary Care Contracting - Community Eye Care Services: Review of local schemes for low vision, glaucoma and acute care 2007
This document is a review of local examples of community eye care services. It was part of the Department of Health's on-going programme of support for community eye care services in partnership with NHS Primary Care Contracting. It complements and sits alongside the Department of Health's 'Commissioning Toolkit for Community based Eye Care Services', referred to above. The PCC review document supports the delivery of key Department of Health policy objectives for both the commissioning and provision of high quality local services, closer to where patients live, moving appropriate primary care services outside the hospital setting, and providing greater choice and accessibility of services to patients. Please click the pdf document to the right of your screen for a copy of the review.
Department of Health/NHS Primary Care Contracting - Step-by-Step Guide to Commissioning Community Eye Care Services 2007
The purpose of this guide is to provide information and practical tools for PCTs and Practice Based Commissioners as they commission enhanced primary eye care services. It complements and builds on the two publications listed above - the Department of Health 'Commissioning Toolkit for Community based Eye Care Services' and the NHS Primary Care Contracting 'Review of Local Schemes for Low Vision, Glaucoma and Acute Care'. PCC states that while the guide was designed primarily for managers with commissioning support responsibillty at Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) level and commissionig managers in PCTs, it will also be of interest to community optometrists and LOCs - in fact all those involved in the delivery of local eye care services. The guide is available in pdf format to the right of this page.
Commissioning Enhanced Optometric/Optical Services
Please click here for information on the support and advice which LOCSU makes available to LOCs/ROCs who wish to get involved in the development of enhanced services locally.
