A new university-accredited course has been launched to help managers and clinicians lead the way to improved NHS services.
The course, which is free of charge to those working within health and social care, is fully supported by the Department of Health and has been designed in response to the need for commissioners to improve their capability and capacity.
Advanced Commissioning takes a practical, skills-based focus throughout a full commissioning year. It will allow attendees to develop the best services for their patients, and facilitate stronger partnership working. It will also help to develop the profession of commissioning.
Designed by the Improvement Foundation in partnership with the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC), NHS Alliance and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, the course is accredited by the University of Teesside at postgraduate certificate level. Applications are invited from those who meet the course requirement criteria.
Ruth Kennedy, Improvement Foundation Chief Executive, said: "Developing exceptional commissioning skills is a priority for the NHS. This course will provide a forum for managers and clinicians to further develop these skills to ensure better services for their local areas. We are also very keen that those taking part are able to contribute to a developing cohort of regional expertise."
David Colin-Thomé, National Clinical Director for Primary Care at the Department of Health, continued: "A 21st century NHS needs agile, responsive and flexible commissioners. The Advanced Commissioning course is an excellent way for clinicians and managers in PCTs, practices and local authorities to get the right skills and capability to become world class commissioners of the future."
Dr Nav Chana, Associate Director London Deanery, who helped to design the course, said: "As a GP, continuous professional development is very important for my practice. We need to be confident we can lead the commissioning agenda with our new role in practice-based commissioning. We also need to ensure we create an integrated and professional commissioning network."
Dr James Kingsland, Chairman of NAPC, added: "If you are involved in commissioning NHS and social care services as a practice based commissioner, consortium lead, or PCT commissioning manager, this course offers the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in today's NHS. You will be part of an initial cohort of up to 200 clinicians and managers from across England who will be developing as a source of expertise for local areas."
Applicants should log onto www.improvementfoundation.org/ac or contact Eloise Glew on 0161 236 1566, or email eloise.glew@improve.nhs.uk
Applications close on 12 September 2007.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Olivia Jones or Julie Yip on 020 7627 0990 or email olivia.jones@90ten.co.uk / julie.yip@90ten.co.uk Or log onto: log onto www.improvementfoundation.org/ac
Notes to editors:
1. The course, which begins at the end of October 2007, is accredited by the University of Teesside at postgraduate certificate level (60 Masters level credits).
2. Applicants should be currently working in a role that involves commissioning NHS or joint NHS and social care services - e.g. practice based commissioning clinical and management leads, PCT commissioning managers, pharmacists and nurses working on commissioning.
3. The programme involves attendees working on three modules over the 15 month period:
a. Evidence-based commissioning
b. Leading integrated commissioning
c. Impact analysis of advanced commissioning.
4. The course is free of charge. However, travel and accommodation is not included.
5. The Improvement Foundation is a not-for-profit quality improvement organisation working across the public and voluntary sectors to support improvement for health and wellbeing.
Contact Details
- Name:
- Julie Yip
- Phone:
- 020 7627 0990
- Email:
- julie.yip@90ten.co.uk
- URL:
- http://www.improvementfoundation.org/ac
