West Lancashire had no specialist community-based chronic pain service; patients were being managed between GPs and hospitals. An attempt to procure a service using a traditional OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) approach and fixed specification had failed even though the marketplace showed interest.
West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (WLCCG) worked with our Procurement Team to procure a service that would:
* meet patients’ holistic needs through a personalised care plan, using new technology to enable self-management and non-medical interventions
* end unnecessary referrals to secondary care
* reduce prescription of pain medication.
Action
We worked with WLCCG to develop an OJEU Innovation Partnership procurement under the Light Touch Regime. We defined the problem and gave bidders freedom to create a solution. They were able to collaborate with commissioners throughout the process so they could fully understand patient needs and produce a tailored solution.
Our approach included:
Soft market testing event:
* Stimulated interest
* Enabled potential bidders to meet Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCF&SE) organisations who could help them design their solution
Workshop sessions:
* Bidders and VCF&SE organisations contributed to the vision of iHELP and helped shape the procurement process
Design phase:
* Bidders had access to the project team, CCG specialists, local GPs, patient engagement groups and third sector providers to help shape their solution
Two-year pilot phase tender:
* Included focus on increasing social value
Negotiation workshops:
* Helped shape a solution that was affordable, able to deliver savings in line with the WLCCG’s aims, and able to furnish the provider with adequate return.
Impact
The Innovation Partnership was such a strong enabler for WLCCG to be bold in seeking creative solutions that it has begun another procurement using it (the first NHS commissioner to attempt a second).
iHELP (Integrated, Holistic, Empowering, Learning Programme), the new service resulting from the procurement process, offers specialist care with a holistic approach to meet patients’ pain management needs. The innovative solution:
* facilitates safe and speedy access to relevant information
* improves care, outcomes and experience
* streamlines the use of resources
* realises cost savings.
The successful provider, Inhealth Pain Management Solutions, exceeded expectations with their solution. The pilot contract commenced 1 April 2019 for two years, with provision for a further five years following review.
RightCare indicators suggest WLCCG could save on chronic pain spend whilst also improving care and the health of current and future patients. Around £600,000 of net savings are predicted for a full year.