Dr Foster Intelligence

A joint venture between the Department of Health and
Dr Foster Holdings LLP
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Commissioning for a world class public service 8 July 2008

As a provider of metrics data for the World Class Commissioning assurance process, a consortium partner with the Department of Health and preferred FESC supplier, Dr Foster Intelligence has been fully involved in the development of the world class commissioning programme and thus is in a unique position to support organisations with this work.

Our range of products and services support the 11 world class commissioning competencies and can provide bespoke solutions to help you meet your goals.

Competency

1. Locally lead the NHS

PCTs should lead and steer the local health agenda in their community. Dr Foster Intelligence can assist PCTs in this role, providing a number of services to help PCTs become recognised as local leaders in the NHS.

Reputation audit tells you what patients, GPs and other stakeholders think and say about you. It tells you what you can do to increase your appeal by identifying your weaknesses.

Our marketing services cover five major areas:

  • Market research and analysis
  • Developing strategies to tackle key public health issues
  • Changing people's behaviour
  • Managing demand for health services
  • Reducing the impact of long-term conditions

Read about previous success: Listening to the community when designing local services

2. Work with community partners

To commission effectively, PCTs need to work collaboratively with community partners to optimise health gains and reduce health inequalities.

Read about previous success: Sussed about drink

3. Engage with the public and patients

PCTs need to build meaningful engagement with the public and patients to shape services and improve health. DFI's range of marketing and research services assist PCTs in engaging the public in a variety of ways.

Research services provides:

  • Qualitative research – used to understand what people think, say, feel and do and why they think, say, feel and do it
  • Quantitative research – used to measure how many people hold particular views and understand and generate statistics

Patient Experience Tracker handsets provide instant feedback on the patient and staff experience.

Read about and watch our partners’ successes as well as recent coverage of PET on ITV.

4. Collaborate with clinicians

Clinical involvement is an integral part of the commissioning process; PCTs need to ensure they engage with clinicians to shape services and improve quality. Practice and Provider Monitor is a central resource which both clinicians and managers, in primary and secondary can access in and outpatient activity

View a demonstration of PPM and download the PPM brochure.

5. Manage knowledge and assess needs

Commissioning decisions need to be based on strong evidence and knowledge; establishing a full understanding of current and future health needs. Population Health Manager (PHM) combines public health and commissioning data to provide robust information and analysis to support needs assessments, and assist in scenario planning, statistical analysis and predictive modelling.

View a demonstration of PHM, download the PHM brochure and read about previous success: Better data, better care.

6. Prioritise investment

To prioritise investment in line with local needs PCTs must have a clear understanding of their population, and the requirements of differing population groups. Population Health Manager and Practice and Provider Monitor provide the ability to fully understand your population's health needs and offer predictive modelling, statistical analysis and mapping functionality

View demonstrations of PPM and PHM and read about previous success: Managing demand.

7. Stimulate the market

Having a range of responsive providers to choose from will ensure PCTs can meet demand effectively and secure quality health outcomes. Stimulating the market involves fully understanding the needs of patients, staff and the public to ensure patient experience can be improved. DFI Management Information tools provide the ability to fully understand your population's health needs and the experience of patients in your area.

View a demonstration of PPM, PHM and RTM.

8. Promote improvement and innovation

PCTs should be continuously driving for improvement within the NHS, seeking innovation and knowledge. Real Time Monitor (RTM) provides the information commissioners need to monitor quality of care with real time data.

View a demonstration of RTM.

9. Secure procurement skills

In order to ensure robust and viable contracts, procurement and performance management skills are essential. The range of DFI Management Information tools assist in performance management in line with clinical priorities and can support business cases for financial viability and risk.

View demonstration of PPM.

10.Manage the local health system

In order to ensure continuous improvement in quality and outcomes, PCTs need to work with providers to effectively manage quality and outcomes. Real Time Monitoring (RTM) and Practice and Provider Monitor (PPM) provide the information commissioners need to manage the quality of care, and use near real time data, for continuous improvement in services to ensure an enhanced patient experience with a focus on effectiveness and efficiency.

View a demonstration of RTM and PPM.

11. Make sound financial investments

To underpin all commissioning decisions and to ensure improved health outcomes, sound financial investments and securing value for money are fundamental. PCTs need to possess excellent financial skills and develop a financial strategy ensuring a fluid and successful commissioning strategy.


For more information on how we can work with you, contact Claire Taylor on 020 7332 8926.



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