Strategic commissioning plans: guidance

Strategic Commissioning Plans Guidance

WHO SHOULD READ THIS GUIDANCE?

This guidance is for everyone involved in commissioning health and social care services.

The requirements of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 ("the Act"), which puts in place the framework for integrating health and social care, mean that people working in the statutory bodies, i.e., Health Boards, Local Authorities and Integration Joint Boards (IJBs), will have a specific interest.

It is important to note, nonetheless, that the Act places a duty on Integration Authorities - either Integration Joint Boards, or Health Boards and Local Authorities in a lead agency arrangement - to involve a range of service providers, service users and their carers, representative bodies, and professionals in the commissioning process.

This guidance, and the advice notes that accompany it with practical advice on a range of subjects, will therefore be of interest and relevance to a wide range of organisations and individuals.

WHAT OTHER GUIDANCE IS RELEVANT?

This guidance should be read alongside the Scottish Government's guidance on clinical and care governance under integration, guidance on managing integrated budgets[1], and guidance on Local Delivery Planning for Health Boards.

HOW IS THIS GUIDANCE LAID OUT?

This guidance covers the following topics:

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Wider context

4. What does strategic commissioning look like, and who is involved?

5. When should strategic commissioning start?

6. What should a good strategic commissioning plan look like?

7. Setting objectives, measuring outcomes and reporting on performance

Annex A: Detailed requirements

Annex B: Draft indicators