Bevan Brittan’s unparalleled breadth of vision and understanding of the wider market perspective is increasingly important as pluralistic provider markets develop. We have a strategic view of new delivery and commissioning models built from our extensive experience of acting for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs ), local authorities, government bodies, not-for-profit bodies, social care providers, banks and private sector healthcare providers.
For a PCT, the development of a health policy forms a crucial step in setting the agenda and influences commissioning decisions. While guiding clients through the necessary decision - making, including issues relating to Local Area Agreements, we give pragmatic advice on best practice, as well as the risks and potential challenges, based on our experience.
Decisions on system design will need to be made within the framework of the Principles and Rules of Cooperation and Competition. Public involvement and consultation around service priorities and changes to services are a necessary part of health planning and, again, will require advice on how best to minimise the risk of a successful challenge. Commissioning arrangements should also ensure appropriate partnership/integration with local authorities in order to meet the “holistic needs” of service user s to deliver “Every Child Matters” and the public health programme.
The inter - relation of commissioning decisions and the funding implications with Practice Based Commissioning will need to be addressed. Local health policies may also impact affect decision - making, particularly around expensive treatments for rare conditions. We have been working with Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and other Commissioners on orphan drugs and specialist commissioning and will transfer our practical knowledge to clients so that controversial decisions can be made quickly and safely.
When it comes to documenting relationships, we have extensive knowledge of the Model Acute Foundation Trust Contract and the Mental Health Foundation Trust Model Contract (on which the national standard contracts for community services and ambulance services are based). We have advised on over 100 schemes under Section 75, ranging from whole system commissioning integration to management and operational integration between Mental Health Trusts and their local authority counterparts through to smaller pooled budgets for specific departments such as learning disabilities and arrangements to support PPP procurements of care homes. We have advised on the establishment of both PCT and NHS Trust Care Trusts (four in total) and on the establishment of Section 75 arrangements to support a Children’s Trust. We are also, as you might expect, used to advising on partnership arrangements that do not require the use of Section 75.
The drive for value - for - money is increasingly the key motivation behind contracts between NHS bodies and the private sector. These include commissioning arrangements for other healthcare services (including OAP frameworks and nursing care), outsourcing arrangements, IM&T (Information Management & Technology) services and consultancy services. We have also advised on complex joint procurements for nursing home care on a PPP basis. In addition, we are experienced in advising on ISTC contracts.