Monitor
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Providers highlight commissioning and tendering as a major concern
Initial findings published yesterday from Monitor’s Fair Playing Field review show the commissioning of patient services has been the most common concern raised so far by respondents.
Providers of all types are concerned that commissioners are not tendering as much as they could, making it difficult for new providers to enter the market and develop new services. Providers are also worried about poor commissioning procedures which favour incumbent providers at the expense of potential new bidders, according to a discussion paper issued by Monitor half way through the review.
More than 100 respondents have so far contributed to the government-requested review from across the charitable, public and private sectors and almost half of them have commented that commissioning behaviours are one of the factors affecting their ability to provide services to patients.
The publication comes as on-going Monitor research finds commissioners only invite tender submissions for 3% of those services that are outside the scope of the National Choice policy.
Under payment by results, patients have a choice of provider for elective care and some other services, and the operation of this National Choice policy now accounts for 46% of the total £88bn commissioning budget in England. For just over half of their NHS budget, therefore, commissioners are free within the bounds of current guidance to decide how to commission the best services for patients in their local area.
Toby Lambert, Strategy and Policy Director at Monitor said:
"Providers appear to be raising questions about the availability of opportunities for them to tender for patient services and we intend to investigate this as part of the review."
The discussion paper gives a progress report on the Fair Playing Field review and invites further submissions from across the healthcare sector to help shape the report to the Secretary of State, which is due to be submitted early next year.
David Bennett, Chief Executive, said:
"A number of commentators and stakeholders have speculated about who wins and who loses under current arrangements. However, I would like to be clear that our work is fundamentally driven by what is best from the perspective of patients and the services they use. That will be the benchmark against which we test our findings and develop recommendations."
Monitor has also issued an open invitation to two Fair Playing Field events to be held in Manchester and London on the 12 and 13 December.
Mr Lambert said: "It is very important that people continue to contribute the Fair Playing Field review so that we can build up an accurate picture of issues affecting the ability of providers to operate in the NHS."
Notes
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For further information please contact Isabella Sharp on Isabella.Sharp@monitor-nhsft.gov.uk or 020 7340 2442
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In June 2012 the Secretary of State for Health asked Monitor to carry out a review of matters that may affect the ability of providers of NHS services to participate fully in improving patient care.
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The full discussion paper can be found here.
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Please find further information about the Fair Playing Field review here.
