Bournemouth and Poole considers regional shared services

All 14 primary care trusts in the South West region are considering joining a single commissioning support platform during 2011 which according to a report to Bournemouth and Poole’s board is “intended to support the migration to GP commissioning consortia”.

The report states: “The recurrent revenue cost to NHS Bournemouth and Poole for both services would be £91,000 (financial accounting £81,000, payroll services £10,000), which would result in a recurrent financial savings of £25,000 (£818,000 aggregate saving across the south west).”

Financial accounting and payroll services are currently provided under a service level agreement with Dorset Health Care University Foundation Trust.

The report states: “A significant element of the current service level agreement (circa 80%) relates to Bournemouth and Poole Community Health Services and the associated provider arm revenue streams will transfer to Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Transforming Community Services transaction. The commissioner balance is not business critical to Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust, and the Foundation Trust has been aware of the pan south west commissioning intentions for these services since the summer of 2010.”

At an extraordinary meeting Bournemouth and Poole’s board agreed to delegate responsibility for entering into the contract to the chief executive and finance director.

South West PCTs are also considering transferring Family Health Services delivery to a regional model. However, the report revealed the timetable for considering that proposal had been extended by three months.