News / NHS England considers future of PCS

30 May 2014

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Primary care support (PCS) services in England could be outsourced under proposals discussed by the NHS England board last month.

The services include the management of patient records, administration of patient lists, ensuring primary care contractors are paid and the call and recall of patients for screening services.

The NHS England board discussed three  options:

  • An open public procurement
  • Outsourcing all services to SSCL, a joint venture between the Cabinet Office and Steria
  • An in-house option in those areas where outsourcing is not in place. Currently around 20% of PCS services are outsourced.

PCS services are delivered by 1,800 staff in about 30 locations. They were transferred to NHS England in April 2013.

NHS England chief operating officer Barbara Hakin (pictured) told the meeting that the national commissioning body had decided against initially subjecting PCS to the wider 40% cut in commissioning administrative costs.

But it was now in a position to transform the services and reduce running costs. She acknowledged the in-house option would mean a reduction in the number of sites and staff. It could also mean staff moving between sites.

The SSCL option would be based on NHS Shared Business Services, the joint venture between Steria and the Department of Health, which is a significant player in the currently outsourced PCS services. A decision is expected this month.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has invited clinical commissioning groups to expand their role in primary care by co-commissioning primary care with NHS England. Applications must meet a number of criteria, including helping to advance care integration, raising standards and cutting health inequalities.