Agenda item

Purpose of the report:  Consultation on Substantial Development

NHS Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group (GWCCG) have undertaken a procurement process for adult health community services; Virgin Care Services Ltd (VCSL) has been announced as the preferred bidder. This report details the procurement process to date and the next steps with regards to mobilisation.

Witnesses:
Leah Moss, Deputy Director of Clinical Commissioning, Guildford and Waverley CCG

Liz Uliasz, Deputy Director - Adult Social Care

Hannah Yasuda, Senior Commissioning Manager, NHS Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group
Matthew Parris, Evidence and Insight Manager, Healthwatch Surrey
Nick Markwick, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People

Declarations of Interest:

None

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The Board was informed by the Deputy Director of Clinical Commissioning that Guildford and Waverley CCG had adopted an alliance contract model that would see Virgin Care Services Ltd (VCSL) working to develop a new delivery model, with the option for an eight year extension.

2.    The Deputy Director of Clinical Commissioning, Guildford and Waverley CCG outlined that the procurement process was single stage, consisting of 35 key questions and 19 evaluators. It was particularly highlighted that a patient representative, information governance expert and independent GP input were brought in to scrutinise the procurement process as a means of ensuring a non-biased outcome.

3.    It was highlighted to the Board that this tailored procurement process was in place to give the most positive guarantee of best outcome of local residents, as opposed to creating a uniform response across all services.

4.    It was suggested by the representative from the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People that the consultation could have been more extensive. Witnesses acknowledge that the report could have set this out in further detail. The Deputy Director of Clinical Commissioning, Guildford and Waverley CCG highlighted that this was the first stage of consultation, and that wider engagement was planned over the next 12 months with all partners to design services.

5.    The Board queried the penalties of poor performance and how, after two years the contract would be managed. The service responded that, after 12 months of contract award, there would be an evaluation of outcomes and deliverables. It was noted that this would form the basis for future contract renewal. It was highlighted that contract arrangements had been developed to ensure that the contract was robustly managed, with penalties in place if the provider failed to deliver.

6.    The Board queried whether the service included any carer consultation. The service responded that it was looking into new ways of engaging with carers and support workers and would work towards this as a future aim. Members questioned whether it was possible to interview carers regarding pressure and whether they felt properly consulted as part of this process. The service responded that they welcomed this engagement.

7.    The Deputy Director for Adult Social Care noted that Surrey County Council was supportive of the work of the CCG and would continue to assist them in their consultation processes.

Recommendations:

The Board thanks Guildford and Waverley CCG for its report. It welcomes the service user and local authority membership at the joint management board.

The Board recommends:

1.    That Guildford and Waverley CCG provide further details as to the engagement activities with patients and families undertaken through the procurement process, how this influenced the procurement process,  and how this will help inform co-production over the next 12 months;

2.    That Guildford and Waverley CCG return to the Board with an update following mobilisation;

Recognising discussions around consistency, the Board also recommends:

3.    That Guildford and Waverley CCG consider developing a public-facing scorecard that will enable residents to understand how providers are monitored and how they are performing;

The meeting adjourned at 11.56am and resumed at 12.11pm.