To consider the findings from the Health Needs Assessment to inform the future priorities and services for commissioning Community Health Services for Children and Young People in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire and the set of guiding principles and approach for the recommissioning process.

The Executive Member for Health introduced a report that outlined the future priorities, services and proposed joint commissioning arrangements for Community Health Services for children in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – to include the Healthy Child Programme 0-19 Services.  embers were asked to comment on the set of guiding principles and the approach for the recommissioning process.  The Head of Public Health advised that the findings from the Health Needs Assessment and feedback from a major stakeholder event in November 2015 had been used to develop the seven key principles.  It was envisaged the revised commissioning approach would lead to improvements and streamlined services in meeting children’s health needs and the health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people in Bedfordshire.

A Member raised a concern that there was no new approach outlined in the document and whether the key principles went far enough.  The Head of Public Health advised that there would be more detail in proposed service specifications at subsequent stages of the procurement process, and that the paper focused on the guiding principles and approaches to commissioning for greater integration.  The Head of Public Health advised that it would not be appropriate to redesign all services from scratch, but to ensure that ongoing transformation and improvements were embedded in future commissioning plans with the CCG.  The performance indicators and contract performance arrangements would ensure that services and pathways were monitored in a holistic way and would be evidence based.  The Director of Children’s Services advised that officers were involved in all negotiations with the CCG at all levels and were confident that this would be a unique opportunity to commission services differently, with better outcomes.  The Head of Public Health advised that the new arrangements would ensure that officers retained a clear understanding of the services that were not achieving their targets and would enable comparison of outcomes with neighbouring authorities.

The importance of straight forward access to services and the continuity of staff delivering the services were raised as concerns and the Head of Public Health advised officers would seek assurances from providers in both these areas as part of the commissioning process.

A Member raised the importance of the role of parents that was missing in the report.  The Head of Public Health advised the role of parents, responsibilities and skills was a focus for the commissioning of services, although not specifically referred to in the report.  Services supporting positive and effective parenting skills - from antenatal stages onwards would be built into all commissioning plans and models.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That there is an aligned commissioning process with the CCG.

2.    That a direct correlation between the conclusions and recommendations from the Health Needs Assessment and the re-procurement process be made apparent in the report.

3.    The Executive assure themselves of the working arrangements with the CCG with particular regards to the financials of commissioning.

4.    That adequate monitoring control of the contract be put in place and that the role of parents be correctly balanced and referred to in the model of service.