PCTs take easy option on AQP

More than half of PCT clusters have chosen community adult hearing services, while 45 per cent chose podiatry and 42 per cent selected diagnostics, an HSJ analysis of Department of Health figures shows.

Under the any qualified provider policy, PCT clusters must open at least three services up to any qualified provider by September 2012.

Just three clusters have chosen to open up more than the required three services. In the West Mercia cluster, NHS Shropshire and NHS Telford and Wrekin went for five. The NHS Sussex and NHS Gloucestershire and Swindon clusters both opted for four.

Some clusters have chosen to open up just one service per constituent PCT.

NHS Partners Network director David Worskett told HSJ the overall picture was “unimaginative and disappointing” but said it had been expected.

He said: “The expansion of AQP is very important for patients. This is a start but the whole process needs to go further and faster.

“The fact that adult hearing services and wheelchair services feature highly suggests that where there is a bit of kit involved it’s been seen as an easier option.”

The DH gave clusters a list of eight services to choose from, worth just over £1bn in total. However, they were free to choose alternatives if they could show why it would benefit patients.

Information published on the Supply2Health website last week revealed 18 PCTs opted for at least one service outside of the list, such as anticoagulation, endoscopy and dermatology.

Seven of these were in the East of England. All three of the services chosen by Suffolk, South Essex, Norfolk, and Great Yarmouth and Waveney were outside the list, while Hertfordshire and North Essex each chose two alternatives, including continuing healthcare.

The least popular services were wound care, selected by Sussex and by East London and the City, and continence services, chosen by 10 clusters.