Commissioning support framework scoped

NHS England has released a draft scope of the commissioning support lead provider framework with the full tender to be launched on 3 March.

The new framework, announced last October, will allow clinical commissioning groups to purchase commissioning support services on a ‘call-off’ basis. Up to 15 organisations are expected to be on it, including commissioning support units, charities and private companies.

The official tender for the framework will be released at the Health and Care Innovation Expo in Manchester on 3 March. All supplier bids will be evaluated by 14 November and the framework will be live in early 2015, allowing CCGs to run mini-competitions to pick suppliers.

The new draft document sets out the proposed scope of the framework and the range of commissioning support services it will cover, as well as a short description of each proposed service line.

Infrastructure services, IT and desktop support, will come under Business Support Services in Lot 1.

This includes: provision of secure IT and desktop support services; IT strategy services; managed data hosting; network services and systems; integration; telephony; mobile device management; and services for primary care IT.

Business intelligence, excluding the work of Data Management Integration Centres which are regional outposts of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, will also come under Lot 1.

Applications will include reporting tools such as dashboards as well as risk stratification, alert systems and workflow management systems.

Also, predictive modelling, benefits case development, statistical analysis, benchmarking and bespoke comparative analysis.

A number of commissioning support units have decided to merge or work collaboratively in order to become ‘lead providers’.

EHI reported in November that North West London, South London and Kent and Medway commissioning support units were exploring a three-way partnership to secure a place on the framework.

Central Midlands CSU and Staffordshire and Lancashire CSU are also in talks regarding a merger to enable them to be named as a ‘lead provider’ organisation.

The introduction to the draft NHS England document says that NHS England conducted a survey over the summer, which showed that that 76% of CCG respondents supported the development of a lead provider framework.

The framework will be optional and will be launched alongside procurement information that outlines other choices available to CCGs and the support available.