Links with the DH

Since its inception in 2002, the NHS Elect programme has enjoyed close links with the Department of Health and has supported the Department of Health in its NHS-facing work across many of the DH ‘flag-ship’ programmes over the last decade. The programmes we have supported help us to maintain close links with policy makers and inform our work with members, helping colleagues in the NHS to translate policy into practice. Our work with the DH has included:

1. NHS Treatment Centres – we helped set up the first wave of NHS treatment centres, supporting NHS organisations to introduce the US ‘surgi-centre’ model into the NHS, reducing length of stay for elective care while improving outcomes and patient experience.
2. 18 weeks – we worked for several years as part of the DH 18 week team. Here we supported the Pioneer sites, who delivered 18 weeks early, developed more than half of the national 18 week pathways and created ‘top tips’ on key aspects of service redesign.
3. Orthopaedics – members of the NHS Elect team led the national Musculoskeletal Co-ordinating Group and the Spinal Taskforce and led orthopaedic coaching programmes in several SHAs.
4. World Class Commissioning (WCC) – NHS Elect designed and delivered the national ‘best practice events’ for the DH WCC team, show-casing the work of the highest performing PCTs (DN – EHJ may wish to add something further here)
5.  Workforce – NHS Elect worked as part of the DH workforce team in supporting redesign of workforce to underpin service transformation, including creating nationally transferable roles for clinical staff.
6. Strategic Commissioning Development Unit (SCDU) – NHS Elect worked with the SCDU team to create the first three commissioning packs, bringing together commercial and pathway guidance for commissioners in COPD, dementia and cardiac rehabilitation.
   
   We continue to have a service level agreement with the DH and are currently working on evaluating the Integrated Care Pilots and in supporting the Modernising Scientific Careers programme.

For more information about any of these work programmes and how we use the expertise gained in delivering this national work in support of our membership, please contact Caroline Dove (caroline@nhselect.org.uk)