NHS Isle of Wight is pleased to report an improvement in the progress towards World Class Commissioning as it publishes its second assurance report.

The World Class Commissioning assurance process was designed to show individual Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) how effectively they commission services that focus on improving the health of their local population. It helps PCTs work with local partners (such as local authorities, the voluntary sector, and GPs), as well as the public more widely, to understand the needs of the population and to improve services for local people.

The results which are identified as part of the assurance process outline each PCT’s strengths but also helps to provide a clear way forward to help continue to make improvements, leading to better quality of care, improved health and well-being and a reduction in health inequalities.

The assurance report looks at the organisation’s progress against 11 core competencies and compares with the first report published in 2009. In this second report NHS Isle of Wight was praised for its strengthened financial performance and financial efficiencies and having a well-established executive team. The organisation has improved its rating in all 11 of the competencies.

The competencies are scored between levels one to four with one being the starting point and four demonstrating excellence. NHS Isle of Wight reached level three for five core competencies. The organisation scored level three for:
• Locally leading the NHS
• Working with community partners
• Collaborating with clinicians
• Managing knowledge and assessing needs
• Managing the local health system

Helen Shields, Director of Commissioning at NHS Isle of Wight, said: “I am delighted that the work undertaken by commissioning within the PCT has been recognised as improved compared with last year across all competency areas. This improvement in the skills of our staff supports the commissioning of better healthcare for the Island population.”

Chief Executive at NHS Isle of Wight, Kevin Flynn, added: “The progress we have made towards World Class Commissioning is very encouraging and moving forward will help us to support the development of future commissioning processes with GPs as we transition to new arrangements outlined in the Government’s recent White Paper. The World Class Commissioning assurance process has provided us with a steer for the future to ensure that we continue to work with our partners to provide sustainable healthcare services.”

The full assurance report is available at www.iow.nhs.uk/publications 

Notes for Editors
1. About world class commissioning: ‘Commissioning’ is the process through which Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) assess local health needs, identify the services required to best meet those needs, and then buy those services from potential healthcare providers. World Class Commissioning takes best practice from this country, and from health systems around the world to help PCTs commission services in the most effective way. It is designed to ensure delivery of better services which are more closely matched to local needs, resulting in better quality of care, improved health and well-being and a reduction in health inequalities.
2. For more information on world class commissioning, visit: www.dh.gsi.gov.uk/worldclasscommissioning 
3. About the assurance process: The assurance process is the means by which PCTs are assessed and given guidance on making progress towards the goals of the world class commissioning programme. The assurance process is designed to be robust and challenging, helping each PCT review progress and identify areas for development. It combines a review of local data, feedback from local audiences, self-assessment and validation through an external panel (including the Strategic Health Authority, the Chief Executive of another PCT, a clinician, a local council representative and an independent international healthcare expert).