Research and development consultancy services

Tender description

The NHS long term plan calls for continued support in engaging key stakeholders both nationally and internationally. NHS confederation are a uniquely placed organisation (the only membership body) that brings together, and speaks on behalf of, the whole health and care system through established networks and organisations. The confederation’s members are drawn from 560+ organisations across the system, and NHS England. Key to this unique position is the confederation’s extensive experience in linking in with these networks to: — be an influential system leader and the voice of NHS England in the EU, — have the close tie, and leverage to represent NHS England, and — support its members to continually improve care for patients and the public. Throughout 2018/19 key services provided by NHS Confederation included: 1) support with European office and memberships with the International Hospital Federation (IHF), and the HOPE Network; 2) creating and delivering a newly-appointed Chief Executives’ development programme; 3) a dual senior lead director, delivering both co-leadership of the equality and diversity Council and development of the Confederation’s EDI programme; 4) Establishment and support of Integrated Care System (ICS) networks; and 5) Mental health policy evaluation. To support implementation of the long term plan, there is a need to continue the above programme of work, whilst slightly broadening the scope for 2019/20 and 2020/21. Due to the longstanding nature of the work programme, and the specialist knowledge and expertise NHS Confed brings, it does not feel appropriate to compete the contract for 2019/20/21. NHS Confed is ensuring that the NHS has a voice in Brexit negotiations for the health-relevant aspects of Brexit (including through leading the Brexit Health Alliance and the Cavendish Coalition and by supporting the EU health stakeholders’ group). The Confed will also help secure the best deal for patients by communicating implications of Brexit developments, and leveraging the Confederation’s European office to influence relevant EU policy and legislation to reflect NHS interests in a post-Brexit world. The proposed contract for 2019 – 2021 will include: 1) Continued operation of the NHS European Office, along with membership of professional’s bodies HOPE and the International Health Federation. NHS Confederation have well established relationships with the EU office and use these to ensure that the Healthcare sector as a whole is adequately represented. NHS Confederation’s European office has the specialist expertise to influence relevant EU policy and legislation, to ensure it reflects NHS interests in a post-Brexit world; 2) Continued delivery of the newly appointed Chief Executives’ development programme. The Confederation will continue to run this highly successful programme, working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement, ensuring that new CEs are equipped for their leadership roles in the new system; 3) Continued provision of equality and diversity support. In addition to its successful co-chair of the Eq&D Council, the confederation will continue to build on the significant goodwill and enthusiasm generated through last year’s work, to take forward the programme of work to encourage improved Eq&D practice throughout the health service in England; 4) Continuing to establish regional networks to support the move towards more integrated, place-based ways of working across health and care. The NHS Confederation is uniquely positioned to support NHS England and NHS improvement to progress the development of ICSs through their established networks and regional teams, and to establish a central co-ordination team – using its ability to engage specific stakeholder groups, vital to the successful implementation of ICSs. Taking a national and local approach means that NHS confederation acts as a conduit between national policy makers and local systems, facilitating delivery of the long term plan commitment to achieve full coverage of ICSs by 2020/21; 5) Creation and support of a Primary Care Networks (PCNs) Voice. The NHS Confederation is the recognised membership body that brings together and speaks on behalf of all organisations that plan, commission and provide NHS services – it is therefore uniquely positioned to provide a collective voice for the newly-introduced PCNs. All of the additional services look to capitalise on NHS confederation’s well-established networks, reputation and specialist experience of the European health and care environment, and future direction of travel for the NHS.