27 April 2017 - NHS Clinical Commissionars Press Release
NHSCC have launched a new publication showcasing examples of where clinically led commissioning is changing the way diabetes care is commissioned and improving people’s lives. The document draws out lessons from those involved in the projects to share and embed for the future.
Since 1996 the number of people living with diabetes in the UK has more than doubled. The NHS is now spending more than £9.8bn each year on treating the condition and its complications.
The new report Excellence in commissioning diabetes care features a range of programmes from CCGs across the country with case studies including:
- approach involving both targeted support for communities and education in GP practices – the CCG is ranked second best in the country on delivering the eight care processes identified by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as representing good practice in diabetes care.
- work to improve communication between GP practices and paramedics in relation to incidences of hypoglycaemia.
- joint approach to diabetes care, which focuses on what the patient wants to achieve rather than only their blood sugar levels.
The report contains tips on commissioning excellent diabetes care including: involving patients in their own care; collaborating with providers on the move from activity to outcomes based approaches and using data effectively to demonstrate the case for change.
NHSCC are also calling on national bodies to help CCGs ensure that more people receive excellent care in the future through:
- Working with CCGs to identify top-priority patient outcome measures.
- Promoting new contracting mechanisms which better reflect population-based care.
- Establishing clearer rules of engagement on collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and CCGs.
NHSCC chief executive Julie Wood said: “As this report demonstrates clinical commissioners up and down the country are finding innovative new ways to help patients with diabetes as well as supporting those at risk of developing the condition.
“Despite the excellent work taking place, commissioning effective services for diabetes can be complicated and we know that sometimes there are national obstacles CCGs need to negotiate when doing so. That’s why we have also identified a number of ways in which national bodies can support CCGs to take further action to improve care and reduce costs in this vital area.”
Read Excellence in commissioning diabetes care.
The report – and the roundtable discussion that it draws upon – was supported by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.
