SaHF DMBC Volume 1 Edition 1.1.pdf - Shaping a healthier future

3. Introduction to the Shaping a healthier future
programme and the purpose of this document
This chapter describes the work that preceded the Shaping a healthier future programme
and how the programme was established. It discusses the underlying principles of the
programme and how the programme’s governance and timeline were established to support
those principles. The programme has worked extensively with clinicians, the public, patients
and other stakeholders on proposals to transform the health system in NW London and
select a recommendation. The chapter concludes with a description of how this business
case provides the information necessary for the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts
(JCPCT) to make an informed decision about reconfiguration in NW London.
3.1 Overview of the Shaping a healthier future programme
Shaping a healthier future builds on significant previous work undertaken in NW London,
including work conducted by a series of Clinical Working Groups (CWGs) between 2009-11
to develop suitable models for clinical services, which culminated in some of the key
elements of the 2011 Commissioning Strategy Plan, including:
The definition of a case for change for NW London
The definition of a detailed strategy to localise care close to patients‟ homes, to
centralise specialist care and to integrate care for people with long term conditions
and the elderly
New clinical quality standards for NW London
Proposals for the establishment of a service change programme.
As a result, the Shaping a healthier future programme was established in November 2011 to
develop proposals for service change across NW London, encompassing acute services and
out of hospital care.
There are a number of other planned activities to improve services as part of the
Commissioning Strategic Plan (CSP), for example, the development of integrated care
systems across NW London. These will support Shaping a healthier future in achieving its
goals but are outside the direct scope of the programme.
3.2 Principles underpinning the programme’s approach
To enable the CCGs to identify the optimal design for the future services required in NW
London, Shaping a healthier future has followed an approach based upon four core
principles (which are based on the Secretary of State‟s four tests for reconfigurations):
Clinically led and supported by GP commissioners: At all stages of the
development of the proposals, local clinicians have led the work to ensure that any
proposals improve the quality and safety of care and patient experience. The work is
led by four Medical Directors – two representing hospital care and two representing
out of hospital care. Together they have ensured that the development of options has
been clinically-led and that the recommendations identified are clinically appropriate
and viable. CCGs have been involved directly in development of proposals and are
part of the programme approval process. The Clinical Board (see Section 3.3) has
been responsible for requesting, reviewing and testing analysis that supports the
recommendations that they have made to Programme Board. Further detail on those
3. Introduction to Shaping a healthier future and purpose of document 13