Commissioning

delivering added value...

“At no point did I feel, that you had used my watch to tell me the time, as I often feel when using other consultants”

“I felt the project was well managed and made so much easier because of your in-depth knowledge of the business”

“Your specialist knowledge and commitment to deliver a high quality service ensured that our project was successful.”

“Using LG Solutions to manage the procurement ensured that we had access to specialist support throughout the project. They worked with us to create a performance based specification that formed the basis of a very rigorous and competitive tendering exercise. We are delighted with the outcome.”

“I enjoyed your session and have come back to work with a new sense of purpose mainly because the training actually brought to light the theoretical dimension of work done and will do.”

World Class Commissioning

World class commissioning will result in significant changes in both the commissioning and provision of health and social care services. The Vision of world class commissioning identifies 11 key competencies for those involved in the commissioning process. Although the Vision focuses on the process from the commissioners perspective, it is important to recognise that world class commissioning will also have significant impact on provider services. The ninth competency requires commissioners to “secure procurement skills that ensure robust and viable contracts.” Compliance with competence means that statutory sector providers will be subject to commercially based contracts, which will mean that they will be required to deliver services at an agreed quality and cost.

Here, at LG Solutions, we believe that there are 10 key things you need to consider on the commissioning front:

Be clear about exactly what you are, and are not, commissioning
Be clear about where you will tender and to whom the tender will go (take known track record into account!)
Provide tender documentation that is precise and unambiguous
Ensure all responses are made in the format you decide upon – this will aid you in making valid comparisons (don’t consider anything in any other format!)
Make sure you understand any legislative requirements and that they are clearly stated in the documentation
Use well tried and tested project management principles throughout the exercise and don’t rush the evaluation
Don’t accept any responses that are in ‘unauthorised’ or ‘we want to do it this way’ formats and/ or responses
Check the suppliers track record very thoroughly – insist on references and site visits
If you are in any doubt about track record, competency or capability – don’t award the contract
Be careful about what you may be tempted to ‘give away’ in the final tender negotiations

If you need assistance in effectively implementing the commissioning cycle, our team can assist. We have managed the commissioning of a wide range of health and social care services including substance misuse, eating disorders and secure accommodation. Talk to us now about how we can help you in effectively commissioning services.