Board consults on specialised services
pharmafile | December 13, 2012 | News story | Sales and Marketing | CF, NHS CB, Sickle cell
The NHS Commissioning Board has launched a consultation into how the NHS provides specialised services, including treatments for conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF), sickle cell and children’s cancer.
The idea is that all patients should in future have access to the same standard of care under an identical clinical policy whatever their postcode.
The six-week consultation is available online and runs until 18 January next year. It contains 140 draft service specifications and clinical commissioning policies, and a final report is expected in February.
At present there are what the Board calls ‘significant variations’ in access to such care across England. James Palmer was appointed last month as the Board’s clinical director for specialised services as part of a raft of job moves.
“We want to hear from providers, medical staff, patients and groups supporting these specialist areas as to how we can make these services work better for patients and their families,” Palmer explained. “If change is necessary we will address this,” he added.
Of particular interest to pharma is the Board’s desire to “work with commercial organisations to keep pace with new drugs and technologies that come on stream”.
The Board also says it wants to build long-term relationships with specialist providers “to improve the services we offer”.
Above all, at present, it wants feedback on whether the specifications and policies are clear, comprehensive and take everyone into account.
The consultation outlines what commissioners will want from a service in terms of clinical practice, evidence base, quality standards and access criteria.
“Providing specialist care through multi-disciplinary teams with expertise in treating CF is the right model to ensure the best outcomes for those living with the condition,” said Jo Osmond, director of clinical care and commissioning at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
John James, chief executive of the Sickle Cell Society, welcomed the consultation. But he said it was ‘vitally important’ that all area teams work closely with clinical commissioning groups “to ensure that the primary and community element of the care pathway is prioritised to ensure consistent standards of care”.
Other specialised conditions included in the consultation include cleft lip and palate surgery, neurology and secure mental health services.
Adam Hill
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