Healthcare consultancy, Essentia Trading, has won a place on a new national technology framework for NHS England as part of a consortium led by OptiMedis COBIC UK (OMC).
NHS England’s Health Systems Support Framework is a crucial step towards supporting the development of population-based integrated health systems as set out in the NHS Five Year Forward View, which was published in March 2017.
This document set out plans for Sustainability Transformation Partnerships (STPs) to evolve into Accountable Care Systems (ACSes), and in some cases into Accountable Care Organisations.
Accountable care, also known as integrated care, is a model whereby several provider organisations, and the system itself, take responsibility for the cost and quality of care for a defined population within an agreed budget.
This is a totally-new way of thinking for the NHS. Whereas before we had a competition-based approach, we will now have collaboration between multiple organisations delivering and funding care
It has been recognised by NHS England that achieving this level of transformation will require STPs and ACSes to supplement their core capabilities with more-advanced innovations and solutions.
These range from identifying patients who would benefit from early intervention to cross-organisational electronic patient records, to tools ensuring patients are being treated in the right place at the right time.
NHS England created the framework as a one-stop-shop and contracting vehicle for STPs and ACSes to source expert consultancy support in IT transformation support. It covers infrastructure, insight, impact and intervention and will last for four years.
Tas Hind, director of technology at Essentia, said: “STPs and ACSes are faced with significant challenges as they evolve towards the NHS’s vision of an integrated healthcare system.
Between us, we have significant knowledge, experience and a deep understanding of the challenges ahead as well as the vision and know-how to deliver real change
“This is a totally-new way of thinking for the NHS. Whereas before we had a competition-based approach, we will now have collaboration between multiple organisations delivering and funding care.
“Technology is at the heart of this transformation, and its success depends upon a fundamental cultural shift and change in mindset by clinicians, managers and patients on how they use new digital technologies. Both they and STPs and ACSes will need significant support in making sure that they deliver the desired benefit to patients.”
The win means that STPs and ACSes will be able to access to Essentia’s NHS IT expertise across several lots, but specifically:
- Informatics and Analysis (management)
- Transformation and Change Support
- Patent Empowerment and Activation
- Demand Management
- System Assurance Support
Andrew Smith, commercial director of OptiMedis Cobic, said: “We are a consortium of experts with many years experience in planning and implementing practical projects within the NHS and internationally.
“We are well-placed to support the NHS through STPs, ACSes and neighbourhoods to meet these challenges.
“Between us, we have significant knowledge, experience and a deep understanding of the challenges ahead as well as the vision and know-how to deliver real change.”