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<p>The Department expects clinical commissioning groups (CCG) to assure themselves
that they have satisfied their legal duties, including the need to consult local populations.
In line with this, Dudley CCG undertook a full public consultation last summer to
inform the development of the Multispecialty Community Provider (MCP) contract. NHS
England has told us that the consultation exercise reached several thousand people
(including staff) and received over 600 contributions.</p><p> </p><p>A report was
commissioned from ICF Consulting Services on the consultation process and considered
by Dudley CCG Board in September 2016. A copy of the report is available on the CCG’s
website:</p><p><a href="http://www.dudleyccg.nhs.uk/mcpconsult" target="_blank">www.dudleyccg.nhs.uk/mcpconsult</a></p><p>
</p><p>The local consultation followed a significant period of involvement with local
people. In partnership with Healthwatch Dudley, Dudley CCG visited over 50 community
groups. Dudley CCG have a patient representative on the Procurement Board, a group
of representatives who have helped to shape the procurement questions and the CCG
will continue to engage with them as they move through competitive dialogue.</p><p>
</p><p>Dudley CCG has held regular staff briefings, with staff of all of the main
organisations involved (including some staff representatives), over a period of several
months. There is a further series of staff engagement events planned, with leaders
across health and care giving presentations on what the MCP will mean.</p><p> </p><p>Further
engagement has taken place with a range of local providers, including those outside
Dudley which serve Dudley patients, and local voluntary sector bodies. All local providers,
including the local hospital and mental health trust, are members of Partnership Board
which has have developed the model of care for the MCP.</p><p> </p><p>The MCP Project
Board reports on a monthly basis to Dudley CCG’s public Board meeting. Reports have
been made to the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The issue features as a regular item at the CCG’s Healthcare Forum.</p><p> </p><p>Dudley
CCG expects the MCP to operate in line with public service and National Health Service
values. It will be expected to meet in public; be open and transparent; have effective
means of securing patient and public involvement; and engage with the Council, the
Health and Wellbeing Board and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as well as local
communities and the voluntary sector.</p><p> </p><p>Before substantive service change
can occur, we have been clear that there should be public consultation. NHS England
has processes in place to ensure this. The Government has been clear that all significant
service changes have to pass include an ability to demonstrate strong public and patient
engagements.</p><p> </p><p>To date the Secretary of State for Health has received
no representations from the Dudley Group of Hospitals on Dudley CCG’s contract for
an MCP.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has set clear guidelines and tests to ensure
that any significant reconfigurations have demonstrated strong public and patient
engagements. Furthermore, those changes must be backed by a clear clinical evidence
base and a credible plan to improve performance without affecting patient care. NHS
England has processes in place to ensure this.</p>
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