Newsletter of the National Commissioning Board (NCB) August 2016 Welcome to the first newsletter of the National Commissioning Board (NCB) This is the first newsletter describing the work of the National Commissioning Board. It describes the purpose of the NCB; its membership and its program of work. We will be providing brief quarterly updates. If you require any further information, please contact Steve Vaughan (). We are the National Commissioning Board (NCB) and not the sadly long deceased National Coal Board (NCB) so we will not be accepting orders for coal. Given that this is the first newsletter it will be longer than the updates that will follow. Introduction to the National Commissioning Board Purpose Broadly the purpose of the National Commissioning Board (NCB) is to improve the quality of commissioning in Wales and to develop effective practice in relation to integrated commissioning between local authorities and local health boards. As we work to become a more integrated board there will be further changes to the membership and to our terms of reference but at present our aims are: To play a central role in building vision and setting a national direction for the commissioning of social care and wellbeing To work with partners to provide a coherent approach to improving commissioning and procurement practice and share good practice across the regions. To promote the effective integration of commissioning between local authorities and health boards with robust governance arrangements where this will improve outcomes for individuals and make more effective use of resources. To create a conducive climate, with appropriate mechanisms for constructive engagement between commissioners and providers in order to secure the most effective services to respond to needs of vulnerable people. To advise key stakeholders on the resources required to deliver effective commissioning for sustainable care services, including up-skilling the workforce To support the delivery of the Local Government and Health Board Implementation Plans. To support the continued development of new and sustainable infrastructure for wide-ranging regional commissioning, ensuring that
The Projects can be summarized as follows: Market analysis of Care Homes for Older People in Wales – initial pilot in North Wales – to be completed across Wales by Mid October 2016. Support the development of Market Position Statement for Care Homes in North Wales (using results of market analysis) and subject to resources develop opportunities for sharing learning from this exercise to the other regions. Develop model agreement (subject to agreement and resources from Welsh Government) for the development of a formal partnership and pooled fund for the integrated commissioning of services from care homes. Model terms & Conditions (Standards) for Care Homes & Home Care Services. This will be undertaken in partnership with Welsh Government Policy colleagues and CSSIW to ensure that this work aligns with the requirements of the Regulation & Inspection Act. Developing an outcomes focused approach to the commissioning of home care. Supporting the Care Council for Wales in the development of the national strategy for home care. Exploring the potential for the development of a toolkit for calculating fees for home care. Examining the options for securing services through procurement and non- procurement routes that promote person centred care together with a sustainable good quality workforce. Examining the Skills & Capacity of Commissioners. Learning Disabilities: Development of Integrated Commissioning Guidance for commissioning services for people with learning disabilities. Children with Complex Needs due to or disabilities. The development of a concordant to promote constructive working relationships between commissioners and providers designed to update and replace the former memorandum of understanding. The projects are described in more detail Market Analysis of Care for Older People in Wales The NCB is presently undertaking a market analysis of care homes for older people in Wales. This exercise is being undertaken at the request of the Care Homes Steering group chaired by Albert Heaney (Director of Social Services & Integration for Wales). The purpose of the exercise is to develop a baseline of information to inform the development of an appropriate range of services. The exercise can also be used to inform the development of pooled budgets. Both health boards and local authorities have been asked to provide data on the placements they fund in care homes for older people both inside and outside of Wales. The exercise does not include care homes for younger
At this stage this is a one off exercise. We need to put agreements in place to create integrated data base of publicly funded placements which can also serve contribute to quality assurance across health boards and local authorities. In the mean-time each partner can maintain their own data base of information. This will help partnerships prepare for the implementation of pooled funds in that it will help them to estimate their contrition to pooled funds. Market Position Statements (MPS) – Care Homes & Accommodation for Older People The Commissioning Board is providing support to North Wales in the development of their market position statement for North Wales. The Institute for Public Care (IPC) facilitated a two-day workshop in North Wales in June and will support the development of the MPS. The NCB will be exploring opportunities to extend the learning from this exercise to other regions. Model terms & Conditions (Standards) for Care Homes & Home Care We are undertaking this work in conjunction with policy colleagues (R&I Act), CSSIW and Care Council. We are planning to analyze existing contracts/ specifications & quality assurance arrangements over the late summer/ early autumn period for the purpose of drafting model terms & conditions and quality assurance arrangements in the late autumn. We will also base this work on good practice. This will inform discussions with the development of regulations and standards for the R&I Act. The purpose is not to duplicate the work. We have requested documentation from health boards and local authorities. Integrated Commissioning of services from care (Model Partnership agreement) In order to promote the integrated commissioning of services from care homes the NCB would like to work with a partnership to model this work. A proposal has been drafted to develop a partnership agreement and pooled fund arrangement with one partnership as a pilot allowing for regional workshops to assist the other partnerships. We are presently discussing this proposal with Welsh Government. Home Care The NCB is developing an integrated approach to the commissioning of outcomes focused care home services. It commissioned an initial paper (from John Bolton and Keith Moultrie)
Awen Morwena Edwards, Director Rep North Wales Anwen Hughes, Heads of Children’s Services rep Jacqueline. Davies Heads of Adult Services rep NHS Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive, Powys Teaching Health Board Gaynor Williams, Director of Complex Care Susan Davies Assistant Director to Chief Operating Officer Aneurin Bevan Health Board. Val Attwood, Associate Director of Contracting; Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board. Integrated Health & Social Care Commissioning Programme: Framework Agreement for younger adults (18-64) with mental health & learning disabilities in residential care and nursing homes. Julian Baker Shane Mills Regional Sian Nowell, Cwm Taf Region Rachel Jones, Cardiff & Vale Region Martyn Palfreman, West Wales Mark Saunders, Aneurin Bevan Region Sara Harvey Western Bay Bethan Jones Edwards, North Wales Region Owen, Powys Region Provider representatives Mary Wimberry, Care Forum Wales Yvonne Apsitis, UKHCA Peter Randall Third Sector (WCVA) Adrian Chris Bennett CSSIW Francis Care Council for Wales Stephanie Griffiths Welsh Government Lisa Dunsford Christopher Stevens Wales Procurement Officers Liz Lucas WLGA Richard Dooner Improvement Agencies Andrew Bell, Social Services Improvement Agency (SSIA) Wayne Jepson Person Centred Care, 1000 Lives Improvement Service, Public Health Wales Maria Bell, Project Lead for Market analysis North Wales