 A series of different coloured boxes linked together, each box with the outline of a person within. We previously confirmed that the 2 integrated care systems (ICSs) where we are piloting our new assessments are. - Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System
- Dorset Integrated Care System
The assessment process has now started, and each pilot system has received a request for information from us. This is so we can collect the evidence that we need to review. As part of our assessment, we are speaking directly with people using health and care services and with staff working in the ICS about their experiences. We will also carry out on-site interviews for each ICS in the pilot. Specialist advisors and executive reviewers, who are experts in different health and care sectors, will be part of the team carrying out the assessments. During the pilots, we will be testing our assessment methods, including how we:Â - work with partners and stakeholders, including NHS England
- use feedback from providers and people using services
- involve Experts by Experience effectively in our assessments
- use our tools and methods, including the information return
- enable efficient ways of working
For each of the pilots, we want to look at: - how leadership works
- whether systems are integrated
- progress towards reducing inequalities
- how quality and safety is managed across local services.
We will provide a report of the findings from the assessment for each ICS in the pilot. However, the Department of Health and Social Care has agreed that we should not generate ratings for these pilots. We will complete a full evaluation of the pilot assessments and incorporate our learning into our formal assessments which will start in 2024. Our approach to formal assessments may be subject to further government approval, as required by the Health and Care Act 2022.  Hands typing on a computer keyboard. With growing complexity and a gap between demand and capacity, many general practices have developed a new approach to these challenges â which has become known as the âmodern model of general practiceâ. The model, referenced in the national Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care (NHS England, 2023) has been developed by practices and helps patients get the right care from the right person at the right time and safer, more equitable and sustainable services. Benefits of using the model include: - Releasing GP and administrative time â approximately 2.5% of GP appointments saved
- Greater use of other primary care services â for example, 450,000 referrals to community pharmacy with only around 6% re-referrals to general practice
- Improved continuity of care resulting in around 5% fewer consultations
- Better patient experience â 6% above the national average
- Better staff experience â for example, 60% reporting fewer complaints, 70% reporting easier workload management.
NHS Englandâs new national General Practice Improvement Programme is sharing this learning, through a nationally-funded structured support programme for all general practices and primary care networks (PCNs) making it easier and faster to realise the biggest benefits. The programme helps practices and PCNs to: - Better align capacity with demand
- Improve practice working environments and reduce pressure on teams
- Improve patient experience
- Build practice and PCN capability so they can continue to improve
PCNs can put themselves forward for this practical, hands on, facilitated support. Find out more by registering now for an introductory webinar for PCNs. Places are limited: PCNs are encouraged to register for webinars as soon as possible. To find out more about the programme watch the short film by Dr Minal Bakhai, GP and NHS Englandâs Director for Primary Care Transformation.  Four red cartoon hands raised, with the words your say floating above. The first piece of guidance we have shared is about the types of evidence we'll look for as part of assessing each quality statement. We want to share this now, so you have time to read and understand it, as well as sharing your feedback on whether it works for you. We have grouped different types of evidence under 6 evidence categories. Each category sets out the types of evidence we look at to understand:â - âthe quality of care being deliveredâ
- the performance against each quality statement.â
This is to make our judgements more transparent and consistent.â We will make clear what we look at in our assessments, by setting out the evidence categories that weâll focus on for each quality statement. We would appreciate your feedback on whether the guidance works for you. Log into CitizenLab to take the survey. If you're not already a member of CitizenLab, you can register today.  Photograph of a hospital road sign that reads from the top: Accident & Emergency (below) Out of Hours Service âWe want to help organisations understand where they need to focus. Weâre not doing this to be punitive or catch people out. Weâre doing it so organisations can have a better appreciation of areas they may need to focus on so that people get good quality, safe care. We want to be able to help providers to pinpoint the key issues â some of which arenât always immediately obvious â so they can direct efforts to where they are needed mostâ. â Dr Sean O'Kelly We know winter is one of the most difficult times of year for the health and care system.
We speak to Dr Sean OâKelly, Chief Inspector of Healthcare, and Dr Prem Premachandran, Emergency Medicine Consultant, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and CQC National Professional Advisor â Urgent and Emergency Care, about some of the challenges and the role of the regulator in encouraging system working and maintaining standards of quality.  | Better Security, Better Careâs webinar, in partnership with the Homecare Association, explores how to minimise the impact of a cyber attack and the time it takes to recover from one. The session will cover - Typical cyber-attacks and how to reduce the risk of falling victim to an attack
- The impact of a cyber-attack on social care services â with a particular focus on homecare
- Steps you can take to reduce the risk and impact
- National, regional, and local support for care providers, including the Data Security and Protection Toolkit and Better Security, Better Care.
Book cyber-attacks on social care: a case of âwhen, not ifâ - Webinar 17 October 2023, 12.00 â 1.30pm. |
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The next webinar in our transformation series will introduce our quality statements and evidence categories, and the role they play in our new regulatory approach. Join Dave James, Head of Policy â Adult Social Care and Amanda Hutchinson, Head of Regulatory Change on Thursday 12 October, from 3.30 to 4.30pm. (Please register before 12pm on Thursday 12 October. The webinar will also be available on YouTube â weâll let you know when itâs available). -
We're always keen to hear from you to help us to shape how we work. Sign up to our online participation platform CitizenLab today, to share your ideas and feed back on live projects. -
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a consultation to understand if the guidance for training on learning disability and autism is good enough. If you haven't already, please review the easy-read Oliver McGowan draft code of practice and respond before the consultation closes on 11.59pm on 16 October 2023. -
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recently shared updated guidance in response to reports of deaths and serious injuries from entrapment or falls relating to medical beds, bed rails, trolleys, bariatric beds, lateral turning devices and bed grab handles. Where relevant, please take action as soon as possible and complete by 1 March 2024. -
We recently featured on Community Care Inform's 'Learn on the Go' podcast, to talk about local authority assessment testing, our longer term approach and how weâre talking to frontline staff. Listen or watch today.
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