Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Paragraph: 27
Set out how to balance cost and quality criteria when procuring services
Recommendation
Cost and quality are essential criteria on which to assess bid submissions in procurement processes. All commissioned services need to be cost effective and provide value for money, but cost should not be prioritised at the expense of quality. NHS England should set out how they balance cost and quality criteria when procuring services.
Government Response Summary
NHS England and NHS Improvement are reviewing existing service specifications for mental health, substance misuse, and primary care, aiming for readiness by April 2023. They are also developing guidance for Integrated Care Systems on prison population healthcare responsibilities.
Paragraph Reference:
27
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Integrated healthcare is key to supporting recovery which is why NHS England and NHS Improvement commissions integrated health services using clinically informed service specifications. Each of the specifications, mental health4 and substance misuse,5 both published in 2018, and the primary care specification,6 published in 2020, are currently undergoing a review to ensure they remain current. They are planned to be ready for service procurement from April 2023. Also, building on proposals set out in the NHS Long Term Plan,7 the move to establish Integrated Care Systems in law will enable different parts of the health and care system to work together more effectively, in a way that will improve outcomes and address inequalities. As part of this, NHS England and NHS Improvement is developing guidance to support Integrated Care Systems in meeting their responsibilities for the ongoing healthcare of the prison population pre and post custody.