Department of Health standard contracts are being introduced for
both generalist community services and specialist mental health
services (covering mental health, learning disabilities and
substance misuse). From April 2009, or when the current contract
expires following this date, all providers, including the third
sector, that are contracted to deliver these services will be
required to use the new standard contracts.
The DOH has published
Frequently Asked Questions and a
briefing for the third sector. As well as useful information
about the contracts, the briefing also states the DOH position on
grant funding; stating grant funding will continue to be the most
appropriate form of funding the third sector in certain situations.
Further updates can be obtained by subscribing to the
contracts newsletter. All these documents, along with final
versions of the contract and service spec are available and the
newsletter can be subscribed to via the
DOH contract webpages.
An email helpline is available to deal with individual comments
and queries at
contractshelp@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Dates have now been announced for the new mental health and
community contracts implementation workshops to be run in January
and February. Further information and an online booking form are
available on their
event flyer.
Department of Health Third Sector Commissioning Guide
NAVCA's Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit are involved in
the editing of a third sector commissioning guide being produced by
the DOH. Case studies are being sought for this publication around
successful partnership working between third sector organisations
and the PCT, in procurement and contract management processes or
the wider commissioning agenda.
If you are aware of any such examples or require further
information around the commissioning of health services, please
contact Commissioning and Procurement Adviser,
Rachel Rhodes at
telephone: 0114 289 3975.