Training and Events: IGNITE

The Healthcare Commission (HCC) has commissioned Artworks to develop a new project called ENGAGE which will pilot new creative techniques to engage with and gather patient experiences from community members as well as to test the HCs internal intelligence and surveillance systems.

The HC collects some patient experiences through the Issue Tracking Forms (recently re-named to Feedback Forms) which most of you have been trained in. We believe that SpeakOut Groups will benefit from additional training on creative engagement techniques.

Artworks currently delivers a highly successful training programme called IGNITE which we have adapted and developed to support SpeakOut groups to complete tasks for the HCC but also to assist their work in communities. IGNITE will offer a number of creative and practical participatory workshops to give you the skills, ideas and knowledge to use creative techniques in your work with communities.

The IGNITE course will be delivered over a 2 day residential. The course includes training in the engagement techniques developed for our the ENGAGE project, as well as sessions on consultation, encouraging participation, evaluation, and will relate to any issues the HCC are currently interested in gathering data on. Creative techniques may include creative writing, drama, music, and a variety of visual art forms.

Workshops will be designed to equip participants to use the creative techniques in their own sessions. Participants will experience the sessions first hand, discuss how the techniques can be transferred to different client groups, settings and topics, and receive high quality handouts.

We are planning to run the IGNITE training on

The Healthcare Commission (HCC) has commissioned Artworks to develop a new project called ENGAGE which will pilot new creative techniques to engage with and gather patient experiences from community members as well as to test the HCs internal intelligence and surveillance systems.

The HCC collects some patient experiences through the Feedback Forms - some SpeakOut members have already been trained in how to compile and submit these forms. We believe that SpeakOut Groups will benefit from additional training on creative engagement techniques.

Artworks currently delivers a highly successful training programme called IGNITE which we have adapted and developed to support SpeakOut groups to complete tasks for the HCC but also to assist their work in communities. IGNITE will offer a number of creative and practical participatory workshops to give you the skills, ideas and knowledge to use creative techniques in your work with communities.

The IGNITE course will be delivered over a 2 day residential. The course includes training in the engagement techniques developed for our the ENGAGE project, as well as sessions on consultation, encouraging participation, evaluation, and will relate to any issues the HCC are currently interested in gathering data on. Creative techniques may include creative writing, drama, music, and a variety of visual art forms.

Workshops will be designed to equip participants to use the creative techniques in their own sessions. Participants will experience the sessions first hand, discuss how the techniques can be transferred to different client groups, settings and topics, and receive high quality handouts.

We are planning to run the IGNITE training on 18th 19th June at the Midland Hotel, Forster Square, Bradford, BD1 4HU: www.midlandhotelbradford.co.uk

For more information or to reserve a place pls contact myself...

ALIA

AliaSyd@aol.com

Events: Potential Provider Information Day

Yorkshire and the Humber Equitable Access to Primary Care Medical Services - Potential Provider Information Day

Thursday 10^th April 2008: Afternoon or Friday 11^th April 2008: Morning

Venue and agenda tbc, Yorkshire area

The PCTs in Yorkshire and the Humber are seeking to improve access to high quality primary medical care by increasing the number of GP practices and Health Centres within the region.

Following on from Lord Darzi’s report ‘Our NHS, Our Future’, this ambitious programme represents an exciting opportunity to build on the existing primary care provision within the region in order to tackle some of the service challenges that we face.

The commissioning PCTs are: Barnsley, Bradford & Airedale, Calderdale, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire & York, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield.

As a first step, the Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority and PCTs are inviting all interested parties to an information day.

The aim of the event is to:

-Give potential providers a greater understanding of the Yorkshire and Humber Equitable Access programme, our aims, objectives and timescales.

- Provide an insight into the specific PCT strategies and collaborative approaches being considered in approaching the market.

-Allow the SHA and PCTs to engage with potential providers and begin to understand how innovation could be used to increase capacity, improve the local health outcomes and enhance patient choice in the region.

Target audience: All potential bidders that wish to gain a greater insight into Yorkshire and the Humber region and PCT specific plans for the Equitable Access Primary Care procurements. Attendees are expected to include Entrepreneurial GPs, Social Enterprises and Third Sector providers.

Following on from this event, there will be further information sessions for potential providers.

There are two opportunities to attend the session. Please see below for booking information.

Booking Information

For instant booking confirmation please book online at

www.primarycarecontracting.nhs.uk/events/all/673 for 10th April session

www.primarycarecontracting.nhs.uk/events/all/674 for 11th April session

Consultations; Department of Health Third Sector Funding Review - A summary

If you are a member of HealthNet you will have received a maling to inform you about the current consultation on the Department of Health’s (DH) third sector funding review. The mailing included a consultation feedback form, from which we got a really good response. The HealthNet team at Bradford CVS attended one of the DH’s regional consultation events to feed your views back. We will also be compiling a written response on behalf of the membership. If you sent the form back thank you, if you would still like to give us your comments then there is until the 20^th of March, just click on the bit at the bottom of this post that says ‘comments’, type you feedback in the box, then click ‘publish your comment. You can view comments that people have already left to the right of this post.

Here is a summary of the DH’s proposals which will hopefully make it quicker and easier to understand than reading the 50 page document.

Current DH funding streams

• Section 64 (general grants); A large number of ‘core’ grants and project funding
• Section 64 (specific grants); Large investments to respond to specific challenges
• Opportunities for Volunteering; Supports 300 projects per year, most of which support local activity, to enable third sector organisations to involve volunteers in health and social care activity
• Social Enterprise Investment Fund and Pathfinders Schemes; Support the development of social enterprise models to deliver innovate health and social care services
• Contracts; DH contracts with third sector for a range of services

Proposals for future functions of DH funding of the third sector

This model incorporates ‘investing and ‘shopping’ approaches to funding the third sector

Social Enterprise Investment Fund

• Support existing and new social enterprises that deliver health and social care services
• Improve the quality of care in community settings for diverse range of communities
• Increase choice of care providers and services that are responsive to people’s needs
• Reduce inequalities, promote social inclusion and promote independence and well-being

Invest in Strategic Partners

• Support policy development through strategic advocacy and user/carer engagement
• Be partners in delivery of policy and public service objectives
• Support capacity building in the sector
• Develop networks to support sustainability

Support innovation, excellence and service development

• Project funding will support new service development or start-up for new providers
• Test and evaluate innovative approaches and good practice to inform wider application and investment
• Link third sector organisations, NHS and local authority (LA) commissioners

Promote and support volunteering

• ‘Pump prime’ local volunteering projects and service models
• Invest in development of sustainable volunteer infrastructure and agreed quality standards
• Evaluate impact and outcomes to inform wider application and investment
• Develop efficient and sustainable models
• Link third sector organisations, NHS and LA volunteer involvement

Contract for expertise required at national level

• Specific policy advice
• National health promotion campaigns (e.g. Sunsmart)
• Service provision where appropriate
• Contracts that support stability and robust managements arrangements
• Reflecting that primary care trusts (PCTs) and Las commission most direct service delivery

To download a copy of the strategic review and related documents follow this link http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_081183

I hope you found this summary useful.

Rachel @ HealthNet

Events: Social Enterprise and VCS Commissioning

What is social enterprise? How is it relevant to PCT and Alliance commissioning? How might it be relevant to the voluntary and community sector? What support is available to help finance and develop health social enterprises locally?

This lunchtime seminar is organised by the Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust's Community Development Team. It will be Tuesday 18th March: 1pm to 2pm in the Large Board Room at Douglas Mill. The seminar will be presented by Bradford Council's Social Enterprise advisor; West Yorkshire Social Enterprise Link and Unltd - the body which backs social entrepreneurs. You are welcome to bring along your lunch, your questions and your concerns to discuss with the presenters.

To reserve a place please email andrew.creighton@bradford.nhs.uk. For enquires please contact Jan Smithies jan.smithies@bradford.nhs.uk or 01274: 237299.

Consultations: Third sector strategic funding and investment review

The Department of Health is undertaking a funding and investment review. The review is about how the Department spends the money we have got more effectively in the third sector, rather than to review the amount of money itself, which will not increase or decrease as a result of the review.

Issues for consideration in relation to S64 funding include, for example, the relative merits of the current large number of core grants compared with a smaller number of strategic grants, or the Department’s current investment in established organisations through core grants and the potential for providing seed corn funding for newer organisations.

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive, NAVCA said ; "There is much to welcome in this consultation document. The Department’s intention to work with strategic partners – national and regional organisations which can act as “critical friends” and “give voice to service users and communities of interest”. And with a refreshing emphasis on support for smaller organisations."

The consultation document, questions and answers, an associated summary of interventions and options, and an equality and impact assessment are available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/Deliveringhealthandsocialcare/Workingwithstakeholders/DH_081175

Consultation will run until 20 March 2008. Feedback and publication of a response document are expected in early summer of 2008. Consultations in Yorkshire will take place in February. Please see www.dh.gov.uk/thirdsectorfundingreview for more information.

HealthNet will be providing a network response and attending the consultation workshop. You can feedback your response to HealthNet by contacting Rachel or Razwanah t: 01274 722772 or health@bradfordcvs.org.uk We will keep you updated via this blog.

Event Report: Commissioning for Health; Introducing the Health Prospectus

Bradford and Airedale tPCT are currently in the process of commissioning health inequality reduction and health improvement services from the Voluntary and Community Sector.

This conference was an opportunity for Voluntary and Community Sector health organisations from the Bradford District to ask questions and access support to complete their application.

If you are a HealthNet member you will receive information from the delegate packs in the post on Monday 17^th December. Below is a summary of the key information from the conference.

The Commissioning Process

• Exciting opportunities for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) for a number of years
• Commissioning addresses health and well-being, a social rather than medical model
• There are a range of different commissioning streams via which VCS schemes are currently funded. All schemes have an end date of March 2008. If you are currently funded by the PCT it is important to know under which stream and the likelihood of being re-commissioned. This current tPCT commission is different to the existing schemes. Information was available in the delegate pack, and has been mailed to HealthNet members

Question and Answer Sessions

We are currently funded by the Strategic Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), do we need to apply for this fund or will SHIP continue to fund our scheme?

If you want to continue to deliver an existing project you need to speak to the tPCT to let them know of your intentions but you don’t need to complete the full application form.

Why not top slice the Practice Based Commissioning monies to commission the VCS?

The tCPT has agreed to additional monies across the alliances to reduce health inequalities but the alliances are not yet ‘up and running’

Can case studies be used in an application to evidence quality of service provision from the organisation?

Yes, but do this effectively by making it relevant and to the point or it may not get read. Case studies are an accepted and helpful form of evidence.

Is there an upper percentage limit for full cost recovery (FCR) calculations?

The tPCT has not and will not be setting an upper limit or formula for calculating FCR, this will be up to the individual. Do make it realistic as high calculations will be noticed. Organisations will not be penalised for including FCR and has a commitment to FCR. The tPCT would enter into negotiations with the organisation if the FCR calculation was felt to be high.

Is there an upper limit for applications?

There is not upper limit, however the tPCT is more likely to fund small to medium sized schemes. Defined as; small = 20k, medium 80k and large 120k+

Is the funding just for revenue or can it include capital costs?

Revenue only

Can applications be made from a partnership?

Yes this is completely acceptable

Do you have to apply for three years funding?

No, don’t apply for three years if your proposed scheme doesn’t require this.

Do schemes need to focus on a specific location or can they be district wide?

No, but evidence of need may come from neighbourhoods

Can organisations already funded by the PCT apply or only new organisations?

Both. The tPCT needs to become more strategic and fund locally based groups as well as its own deliverers.

What support will there be to build the capacity of the VCS?

There will be support for infrastructure organisations such as HealthNet, CNet and the CVSs. There may also be a need for specialised support e.g. mentoring role from PCT staff. Other safeguards for new organisations may be needed. Its important that smaller organisations don’t miss out.

Should Healthy Living Centres apply to this fund?

The 9 healthy living centres are getting core cost funding elsewhere so they should only come to this pot for projects

Workshops

Calculating Full Cost Recovery

Please see www.wycas.org.uk

Identifying Outcomes, Outputs and Measuring Impact

Definitions;

Inputs = What’s put in e.g. fitness coach, 5-a-day stall, cessation classes

Outputs = Work done/activity numbers e.g. parents trained

Outcomes = Effects e.g. higher self confidence, reduced infections

Impact = Long term change e.g. access

See also;

Proving the Health Need

Priority health needs and areas of inequality are identified in the commissioning prospectus through the critical issues and the specified geographical areas. The Sustainable Community Strategy, Local Area Agreement and some Local Area Action Plans also identify health inequalities.

Sources of information that can be used to identify health needs;

Internal; questionnaires, no of people turned away due to insufficient provision (i.e. unmet need), case study, consultation, exit interviews.

External; Are there any other service providers, both statutory and voluntary, that already meet this need? Talk to your local CVS and the tPCT, and search www.divabradford.org.uk to find out. Commissioners will not fund a scheme where something similar already exists.

There may be existing local health needs assessments, reports or research e.g. strategic partnership reports, Equity Centre LGB health needs assessment, Survivors ‘A View from Inside the Box’.

Partnership organisations may also hold relevant information e.g. do they need to refer service users to related services, but no provision currently exist e.g. crisis services, out of hours young peoples services, counselling.

Are there any local statistics from BMDC, the tPCT or through the Community Statistics Project at Bradford Resource Centre, that support the need for your scheme?

For further information see; www.fit4funding.org.uk/assets/uploads/files/proving_the_need.pdf

For further information please contact Rachel @ HealthNet

Update: Commissioning for Health

Commissioning for Health

introducing the health prospectus

date: 10^th december 2007

time: 10am – 1pm

venue: the thornbury centre

booking: bookings essential

contact: rachel (t: 01274 722772)

Bradford and Airedale tPCT are currently in the process of commissioning health inequality reduction and health improvement services from the Voluntary and Community Sector. Commissioning will be based on the tPCTs organisational eligibility criteria and the health priorities, which are outlined in the Health Prospectus.

This conference will be an opportunity to get an understanding of the Prospectus and to access support with your application.