St Helen’s Clinical Commissioning Group

St Helen’s CCG had a requirement to establish Out of Hospital and Planned Care Strategies. In-Form Solutions had previously evaluated St Helen’s CCG’s community clinics, together with its triage service, and all findings and recommendations had been accepted by the Finance and Performance, and Quality Committees. Following this success, the CCG secured the team to provide the required support for their Out of Hospital and Planned Care strategies. The strategies involved further development of telemedicine services, the planning, establishment and successful implementation of the Referral Management System, as well as enhancing the community clinic and triage services.

Our team established, chaired and undertook numerous steering group meetings with key project and action plans, as well as working with senior managers, clinicians and stakeholders. We also supported the negotiation of a number of external contracts. A new set of performance management tools and reporting processes were established and our team also supported the development of a regional dermatology strategy and introduced new models of care.

The key activities and outputs include:

• Supporting with the development and implementation of its QIPP Programme.
• Supporting with planned care and deep dives of specific specialties.
• Undertaking a number of service evaluations.
• Developing and enhancing new community clinics and services by engaging with both clinicians and service providers.
• Chairing numerous Steering Group Meetings.
• Supporting the commissioning and contracting process.

The outcomes of the work have been significant. The performance management tools have helped the CCG to improve its clinical outcomes, value for money and productivity considerably. Additionally, and most importantly, patients have access to frequent localised services with improved waiting times. 

The broad range of commissioning projects during this period have been delivered with flexibility and professionalism, and always accommodating to the changing needs of projects within the organisation.   Duties were met to a high level, with broader knowledge and insight shared with the team.  The nature of some of the projects also required effective relationship management and negotiation across providers in community services, in often challenging times and this was delivered confidently helping to support the maintenance of key CCG services when risks appeared. John very much became a member of our team with his knowledge and skills shared willingly with the team and was a much-valued colleague supporting our planned care agenda. We would have no hesitation in working with John in the future. The performance was consistent throughout and always with a flexible approach and willingness to support the changing team focus across projects."

- Caroline Lees, Associate Director of Commissioning.