Safety recommendation
HSSIB recommends that NHS England develops mechanisms for assuring that integrated care boards support general practices when implementing online consultation. This is to ensure online consultation tools are procured and implemented in ways that best support patient safety.
Response:
- NHSE has been working to update and improve assurance processes across the NHS and to clarify roles and responsibilities between NHSE, ICBs and providers for assurance and performance management activity. This is expected to continue through the process of merging NHSE into the Department of Health and Social Care.
- The work includes strengthening and streamlining the assurance of ICBs in effectively commissioning services, improving service quality and securing transformation. Within this, there is also a specific programme underway to develop a more consistent approach across ICBs to carrying out their delegated responsibilities for commissioning of general practice, including supporting general practice transformation and improvement. ICBs are tasked with developing plans and delivering activity that supports general practice improvement, which will include ensuring that digital tools are implemented safely and effectively. NHSE will work with ICBs to assure these plans and track delivery of activities.
- Under the GPIT Operating Model, those procuring online consultation systems (which will largely be ICBs) are required to apply the provisions of DCB0160 when they are implemented and in the regular review of business and clinical processes. There are assurance processes in place to understand local application of the GPIT Operating Model and delivery of GPIT services. The effectiveness of these processes will be reviewed as part of the work mentioned above.
- In addition, NHSE has made available guidance and best practice tools for supporting the implementation of digital tools and application of clinical safety procedures.
- NB recent announcements to abolish NHSE and merge functions with the Department of Health and Social Care may have an impact on the work planned. These impacts, if any, are not yet clear.
Actions planned to deliver safety recommendation:
- Publish NHS Performance Assessment Framework, by 2025 date TBC. Organisational lead: NHSE. Other dependencies identified: Major NHSE and DHSC strategic changes 25-26. Additional comments: draft published 12 May for consultation.
- Publish details of a new Commissioning and Transformation Support Programme for GP commissioners, by 2025 TBC. Organisational lead: NHSE Primary Care and Community Services team. Other dependencies identified: Major NHSE and DHSC strategic changes 25-26.
Response received on 6 November 2024.