Strategic commissioning
The role of ICBs has changed. The cuts to running and programme costs, the Model ICB blueprint, and the Ten-Year Health Plan have all signalled a shift towards a new type of ICB that is leaner, more analytical, and uses its levers to manage markets and neighbourhood health delivery.
Our Pioneers of Reform report outlined the sector’s vision for strategic commissioning: a process that involves better understanding populations, working collaboratively, contracting innovatively, and transforming care for improved outcomes.
We know our members are eager to seize this new opportunity but need support to build the skills and capabilities they will need to become strategic commissioners.
The Strategic Commissioning Cycle
Strategic Commissioning Forum
To support our members in this new role, we are launching a new Strategic Commissioning Forum.
Chaired by Hannah Iqbal, Chief Strategic, Digital and Transformation officer at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB, and Sarah Mansuralli, Chief Strategy and Population Health Office for North Central London ICB, the forum will bring together directors of commissioning, strategy, and population health from across the health and care landscape to move towards this new vision of commissioning.
Each monthly meeting will be focused on a step within the strategic commissioning cycle, and will bring together key speakers, examples of good practice, key insight from system partners, and opportunities for peer learning to support you to move to strategic commissioning.
Sign up for the Strategic Commissioning Forum.
We are here to support you through the current changes, and are always looking to hear your views on how we can best do this. Please contact Ian Perrin if you have views on how we could be best supporting you.
Strategic Commissioning Peer Consulting Groups
As part of our work to support our ICB members with the transition to becoming strategic commissioners, we are establishing a series of peer consulting groups to support shared development, learning and challenges.
These virtual peer consulting groups aim to provide opportunities to check and challenge on plans and processes with your peers, on topics focused on the key steps within the strategic commissioning cycle. They will start later this month.
The focus is on obtaining tangible feedback, insight and advice from colleagues and friends. It involves active listening and a focus on ‘how’ one might tackle something rather than what or why.
The sessions involve small groups of peers, focused on learning from each other and sharing new perspectives and approaches to shared or common challenges.
The planned dates are:
- Session 2 - Monday 23 Feb - Delivering long term population health strategy and measuring impact
- Session 3 - Monday 30 March - Delivering the strategy through the payor function and evaluating impact
The groups will take place online and you can attend all three, or just choose whichever sessions are most relevant for you. To find out more, or submit your interest in taking part, please contact Helen Wolstenholme.
