Suppliers offering expertise in data analysis and IT solutions to support commissioning are included in the 14 organisations chosen by the Department of Health to provide PCTs with support.
The DH last week announced the names of the suppliers it has selected for its Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC). The framework is designed to provide PCTs with access to outside expertise on commissioning without the need for prolonged and expensive procurement exercises.
The 14 organisations on the framework include a consortium led by information specialists CHKS, predictive risk specialists Health Dialog, Dr Foster Intelligence and McKesson Information Solutions.
Health minister Ivan Lewis said the framework would enable PCTs to benefit from a bank of knowledge already built up through the DH procurement process.
He added: “PCTs will be able to work with organisations that are already known and trusted, which will enable them to concentrate their efforts and expertise on providing patient care.”
Lewis added that that it would be up to PCTs to decide if they wanted to use the suppliers and PCTs would remain fully responsible and accountable for the services provided.
CHKS has formed a consortium with Acton Shapiro, the Association of Public Health Observatories, the Sollis Partnership and the York Health Economics Consortium to offer services to PCTs under the name Partners in Commissioning.
The consortium said it would be able to help PCTs monitor current and planned levels of activity and expenditure, provide and support IT solutions to meet those needs, assess and plan the need for and delivery of services and collect and analyse GP feedback and patient information.
Graham Harries, chief executive of CHKS, said: “Our combined skills and experience will help PCTs further enhance commissioning and ensure that the right services are provided in appropriate settings and to agreed standards that the public rightly expects. It also gives CHKS and our partners the opportunity to bring their unrivalled expertise to new areas such as social care and ambulance services.”
The full list of suppliers included on the FESC is Aetna Health Services (UK), AXA PPP Healthcare Administration Services, BUPA Membership Commissioning, CHKS trading as Partners In Commissioning, Dr Foster trading as Dr Foster Intelligence, Health Dialog Services Corporation, Humana Europe, KPMG, McKesson Information Solutions UK, McKinsey & Company, Navigant Consulting, Tribal Consulting, UnitedHealth Europe and WG Consulting Healthcare trading as WG Consulting.