Case studies

Commissioning

Examples of our work in this area

• We were commissioned to work with five GP commissioning consortia in central Birmingham to strengthen them by introducing good governance practice and to develop a local federation for them to work more closely together.  Each GPCC was at a different stage of development and we initially met with key GPs to understand their needs and aspirations. We then provided a variety of appropriate interventions from contributing to their top team meetings to running governance workshops for the whole GPCC. We helped draft proportionate governance structures and processes, initiated an annual business cycle and drafted developmental workplans. Each GPCC became much clearer about the way forward and what it would need to do to become an authorised commissioning organisation. As the work progressed the need to liaise more closely to maximise their influence became evident. Consequently we worked with the GPCCs to develop a federation which is progressing.

• We were instructed by a PCT in respect of a procurement process for the provision of healthcare in a prison. We were instructed initially after the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire stage, when a challenge had been received to a decision to exclude a potential bidder. By waiting until the expiry of the limitation period for selection of a preferred bidder before entering into a formal contract, the PCT managed the risk of disruption to a procurement which was not immune from challenge, and was able to reconcile operational requirements with potential liabilities.
• We were instructed by Brighton & Hove PCT in connection with concluding arrangements to establish their children’s services integrated arrangements, at the specific request of the local authority who were dissatisfied with work being carried out on behalf of the NHS Community Provider Services by another law firm. The Agreement was completed and provided for the go live of the first tranche of children’s services in Brighton and Hove to the agreed timescale, which our clients and the local authority were delighted about. Arrangements were put in place for further tranches of integrated services to be brought into effect pursuant to the original agreement.
• We advised Healthcare for London, the programme reporting to the 31 London PCTs and the SHA which is driving the reorganisation of health services in London following Lord Darzi’s review for London. This work was groundbreaking, and very high profile, since Lord Darzi’s report on health services in London was the precursor to his national Next Stage Review. Conducting a consultation across the whole of London raised issues that had never been considered in previous NHS consultations, and required an innovative, problem-solving approach. The decision making process has been praised by the Patient and Public Advisory Group as a model which it recommended the DH encourage the rest of the NHS to adopt.