25.05.17
CCGs and STPs encouraged to collaborate with AHSNs to improve outcomes
A new report has been launched by NHSCC today to demonstrate how collaboration between CCGs and Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) can improve outcomes for local patients.
The research, called ‘Supporting strategic commissioning: collaborative working between CCGs and AHSNs’ was released today to give commissioners a clear view of how collaboration should work with AHSNs and how it will benefit their areas.
It looks at a number of case studies that demonstrate how collaboration successfully made a positive impact on improving care. These studies include the reduction of anti-coagulation treatment costs of £1m in Newcastle, as well as how CCGs in London worked to reduced admission times for patients with acquired brain injuries by six days.
Dr Graham Jackson, NHSCC co-chair, who wrote for NHE recently about the future of clinical commissioning, stated that sustainable and transformed care can only be delivered through collaboration across local systems and organisational boundaries.
“CCGs as leading players in sustainability and transformation partnerships can draw upon AHSNs’ experience in spreading approaches across wider footprints and sharing best practice across regional geographies, translating these to take local circumstances into account,” he added.
His colleague NHSCC co-chair Dr Amanda Doyle continued: “Supporting strategic commissioning reaffirms the beneficial partnerships that exist between CCGs and AHSNs across the country, which is leading to improved quality of services and increasing innovation.”
Doyle added that she hoped the report would inspire CCGs to develop new relationships and collaborate more closely with AHSNs.
Concluding, AHSN Network chair Dr Liz Mear commented: “Supporting Strategic Commissioning outlines the strength and breadth of AHSNs’ support for CCGs to address local challenges and unlock the potential for innovation to drive transformation.”
Dr Mear added that since the organisation was established by the NHS in 2013, England’s 15 AHSNs have been “instrumental” in driving the adoption and spread of over 220 innovative projects, devices, tools and systems within more than 11,400 sites around the country.
She stated that the work of the network has leveraged £330m investment to help with the transformation of health and care services.
“I warmly welcome our collaboration with NHSCC and we will continue to seek all ways to support commissioners to create the sustainable NHS of the future,” she stated. “I would encourage CCGs to use report identify how we could assist your organisation.”
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