Commissioning, Co-commissioning and Being Commissioned
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Commissioning, Co-commissioning and Being Commissioned; the NHS and Third Sector Organisations
IRAS ID
270268
Contact name
Rod Sheaff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth (Research & Innovation)
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The government aims to involve voluntary organisations,charities and social enterprises (VCSEs) more in the NHS, which will buy (commission) services for NHS patients from them and involve VCSEs in commissioning decisions ('co-commissioning'). This study aims to increase knowledge of how VCSEs work and how VSCEs change when outside bodies buy services from them (for instance, do they start behaving more like NHS organisations?); and to explore what VCSEs need to learn about how to work with the NHS. As relevant services this study will focus on social prescribing for older people, hospice care, and services for people with learning disabilities and complex behavioural problems. We systematically compare case studies of how the NHS commissioners from, and co-commissions with, VCSEs, and research how the NHS can help VCSEs provide the evidence and other material that the NHS needs in order to commission VSCEs as providers. By analysing published NHS accounts we will compile a national profile showing which VSCEs are providing NHS-funded services, what kind of services, and for whom. From these findings and surveys of staff and volunteers, we will find out what further skills, knowledge, training and perhaps other support NHS bodies and VCSEs need, in order to co-operate more fully. From the case study sites we will recruit members of VCSEs to join the research team, so that they can learn-by-doing about how to deal with NHS bodies, and how to assemble the data and evidence required to help their own organisation win NHS funding and support.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A