PCTs Fitness for Purpose Event, July 2005
NHS Networks supported an NHS Alliance Workshops on 5 July 2005 exploring PCTs' ‘Fitness for Purpose’. Edna Robinson, NHS Networks Lead, was one of a range of speakers encouraging PCTs to be proactive in exploring their options for the future. Thirty two PCTs were represented at the event along with a number of SHAs and local authorities.
Mike Dixon, Chair of the NHS Alliance, spoke about his hope that changes to PCTs would be a peer led process and not ‘dropped from on high’. He stated that the Alliance is asking the Government for three things to support PCTs becoming fitter for purpose:
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Some central funding to get PBC on the road providing improved information and management systems to practice based commissioners
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A short and open season on PCT changes to enable development to continue without being sidelined
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A proper system for contracting and a mechanism of PBR
Judith Smith of the Health Services Management Centre at Birmingham University summarised the research HSMC has carried out on behalf of the Alliance outlining a series of eight models of working/interdependence ranging from ‘loose’ networks to ‘tight’ associations and gave a strong health warning over mergers from a research perspective.
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NHS Networks are supporting PCTs and health communities in addressing fitness for purpose. Our Networks developed an Organisational Design Toolkit to enable PCTs to ask the appropriate questions when addressing current issues.
We are currently developing a series of case studies from PCTs who have addressed these issues which we hope will provide some practical ‘next steps’ ideas for organisations considering change. The case studies will be available on the website in August. Some systems have also asked for support to facilitate local discussions which we are happy to provide.
Continue to watch the website and check New@Networks for further signposting and discussion pages.
Further contacts: Ann Hepworth, Network Associate at ann.hepworth1@btopenworld.com
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