NHS Operating Framework 2012

NHS Operating Framework 2012

The operating framework for the NHS in England 2012/13 was published on 24 November 2011 and sets out the business and planning arrangements for the NHS.  It describes the national priorities, sytem levers and enablers needed for the NHS organisations to maintain and improve the quality of services provided, while delivering transformational change and maintaining financial stability.

It also sets out the practical steps that need to be taken to carry the NHS through its transition over the next year, how it can maintain high quality standards and financial control, in the move towards the Government's agenda of 'Liberating the NHS.'

Key areas relating to telecare and telehealth

Telehealth and telecare offer opportunities for delivering care differently but also more efficiently.  Use of both of these technologies in a transformed service can lead to significant reductions in hospital admissions and lead to better outcomes for patients.  Using the emerging evidence base from the Whole System Demonstrator programme, PCT clusters working with local authorities and the emerging CCGs should spread the benefits of innovations such as telehealth and telecare as part of their ongoing transformation of NHS services.  They should also take full consideration of the use of telehealth and telecare as part of any local reconfiguration plans.

QIPP - Risk stratification, care planning, patient involvement and supported self-care can transform the care of people with long term conditions and prevent the need for some reactive, expensive acute based care.  This is particularly true where there is strong integration between the NHS and Social Care and existing resources, such as specialist community based nurses, are effectively ued to meet the needs of patients with long term conditions.  Providing services supported by telehealth and telecare delivered at scale can maximise benefits for individual patients.

Joint working with Local Authorities - PCT clusters will need to work together with Local Authorities to agree jointly on priorities, plans and outcomes for investment of the monies allocated for reablement in 2012/13.  This could include:

• current services such as telecare community directed prevention (including falls prevention), community equipment and adaptations, and crisis repsonse services.