News / PCT commissioning scores show improvements in performance

The results of year two of world class commissioning (WCC) show a significant improvement in primary care trust performance despite the system being made more challenging and the first assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of spend competency, according to the NHS Confederation.

The Department of Health has not published the WCC assurance results for 2009/10, though they have been published locally.

The confederation’s primary care network’s analysis of scores for 146 of the 152 PCTs showed improvements in both governance and competencies. The number of boards given a green governance rating was 61%, up from 47% in 2008/09. Finance ratings improved least – the proportion of PCTs rated green increased from 40% to slightly less than 43%.

Just under 23% of PCTs were rated green in all three categories (up from 18%), while the number of PCTs with three red ratings fell from two to zero. Competency 11 (efficiency and effectiveness of spend), which was not rated in 2008/09, was the lowest rated competency, with an average score of 1.46.

The network said a number of PCTs were beginning to demonstrate world class performance, although none had yet achieved this in every element of the commissioning process.

The results cover 2009/10, the last year of WCC following the government’s announcement of the move to GP commissioning consortia.

PCT Network director David Stout (left) said PCT skills would remain relevant to the new commissioning consortia.

‘The transition to GP-led commissioning will require strong and engaged leadership and these results highlight the fact that PCTs have the specialised knowledge and skills required for an effective handover,’ he added.