Clinical commissioning groups in Staffordshire wanted to review and change the spot purchase approach to procuring and managing domiciliary care placements and address the lack of a contractual structure. With budgets under pressure due to increasing demand, prices of domiciliary care were also rising. The aim was to move to a robust, effective and faster process that focused on maximising a robust contractual structure with quality of care for patients and value for money for the CCGs.
MLCSU, with technology partner, adam, was already delivering a range of solutions to the CCGs, including a commissioning solution for nursing care provision and a case management system for continuing healthcare (CHC) patient records.
Action
We scoped what was required, engaging with key stakeholders and providers and worked with adam to deliver:
* new policy and process documents
* new procurement and associated provider contracts
* performance and price benchmarking
* system configuration incorporating agreed processes and policies
* electronic invoicing and payment process
* migration and loading of existing package data
* training of all system users
* management of information and reporting design and configuration.
Impact
The new process is expected to result in:
* improved management of risk and compliance
* faster placement of CHC Domiciliary Care patients
* financial savings
* improved process around provider sourcing and quality of care
* all invoices being held online and paid within 30 days without exception
* providers being fully aware of all process, policies and performance metrics as they are held online
* providers having a fair opportunity to provide services for all new cases.
With this development we have now implemented adam’s full commissioning solution in Staffordshire (our first customer to have all key aspects in one system). It includes:
* provider contracting and evaluation
* care and support planning
* e-brokerage and provider sourcing
* e-contracting and placement management
* integration with case management system and finance systems
* e-invoicing and payment process
* supplier relationship management module (starting soon, delayed by COVID-19)
* interactive and real-time reporting tools
* dedicated user support and training
* data analysis and stakeholder engagement teams.