Information sources on commissioning for particular populations, plus case studies that illustrate how health libraries support work in this area.

 

Tips on searching the web: Use language, jargon and abbreviations which you might expect to find in trust and government documents to focus your search more effectively, e.g. 'Choosing Health' / 'National Service Framework' / NSF. When searching for information relating to specific populations, try using the term 'people with...' for example the phrase 'people with mental health...' is far more focused than 'mental health' and uses the language you will find in NHS papers.  This can be used for a wide range of populations such as 'people with physical disab*' / 'people with learning diff*' To limit to NHS papers, try combining your results with: (pct OR "primary care trust" OR nhs) You can search for terms such as "board paper" / "strategy" to help to locate Trust papers   Also have a look at our summary of tips on searching the web and visit the Commissioning Specialist Library - a one-stop shop, providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning.   Useful keywords for searching HMIC:  commissioning; information sources; adults; children; black & ethnic minorities; mental health; older people; physical disabilities; learning disabilities; mental illness; mental health problems; substance abuse; alcohol abuse; drug abuse; young people

 

Commissioning Specialist Library

This is a one-stop shop, providing timely and efficient access to high quality information resources for all those involved in commissioning for specific populations. The Library endeavours to include the best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data to support world class commissioning.   

 

 

Adults

Department of Health - vulnerable adults

An introduction to policy and guidance relating to the delivery of adult social care, focussing on vulnerable adults. 

[SR 181208] 

 

 

Children and young people

Every Child Matters

Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19.  This site has many resources relating to commissioning for children and young people, including:

 

More effective commissioning by Children’s Trusts

A new sector-led programme to develop and support more effective commissioning by Children's Trusts. The site includes case studies, plans and improvement/performance management links.   

 

Joint planning and commissioning framework for children, young people and maternity services

DfES, March 2006

 

Effective Practice in Commissioning in Children’s Services

PA Consulting Group, Final Report, March 2007

 

Joint planning and commissioning: effective practice case studies

[SLB/SR/AP 230109]

 

Joint commissioning of children’s services across local authorities and primary care trusts

Briefing paper produced by the Faculty of Public Health, April 2008

[SLB/SR 230109]

 

ChiMat - National Child and Maternal Health Observatory - support for policy makers, commissioners, managers, regulators, and other health stakeholders working on children's young people's and maternal health.

[AG 261108]

 

Improving the quality and outcomes for services to children and young people through effective commissioning: A self-assessment tool for commissioners

This self-assessment tool is designed to assist PCTs and their partners in assessing their knowledge and capability to commission children's and young people's services. Department of Health, April 2007.

[SLB/SR 220109]

 

Knowing where to look: How to find the evidence you need - Resources compiled by CAMHS Evidence Based Practice Unit (EBPU) to support practitioners, managers and commissioners.

[AG160109] 

 

Commissioning counselling services for young people: a guide for commissioners  - Report by Youth Voices to support CAMHS

commissioning.

[AG250209]

 

 

Ethnic minority groups

Ethnic health intelligence - Health of ethnic minority groups

Resources compiled by the London Public Health Observatory.

[SR 220908] 

 

Ethnicity and health

The site of the UK Centre for Evidence in Ethnicity, Health and Diversity (CEEHD).  CEEHD's main aim is to undertake new research and also to identify, assess and disseminate evidence in the multidisciplinary field of ethnicity and health, providing research findings which can help user organisations in health, social care and other sectors to develop ethnically-sensitive, appropriate and cost-effective services and policies.

[SR 240908]

 

Specialist library for ethnicity and health

Best available evidence, examples of good practice, policy and data relating to ethinicity and health.

[SR 240908]

 

Mental Health Services for Irish Residents

A case study from the LondonLinks Alignment Toolkit. Further resources are being allocated to mental health services for Irish residents of Islington following a literature review requested by the Public Health Department. The work will inform future service planning, recognizing the needs of the community.

[SLB 270908]

 

 

Older people

Department of Health - Older People

The Department of Health's policy for older people and their carers seeks to promote social inclusion and control over their lives.  This webpage provides links to a range of initiatives in services for older people.

 

 

People with disabilities

Department of Health - People with Disabilities

This website provides an introduction to the Department of Health's policy relating to disabled people.

[AP 111108]

 

 

People with learning disabilities

Department of Health - People with Learning Disabilities

This website provides an overview of the Department of Health's policy relating to people with learning disabilities.

[AP 111108]

 

Commissioning healthcare for people with learning disabilities 

Issues in the commissioning of services for people with learning disabilities that meet their specific needs and enhance the development of mainstream services that are fit for purpose.

[AG 150609] 

 

 

People with mental health problems

Mental Health Observatory

The Mental Health Observatory exists to collate and make available data about mental health care in England, collected routinely or through special surveys, by health and social services.

[SR 220908] 

 

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

The Sainsbury Centre works to improve the quality of life for people with mental health problems by influencing policy and practice in mental health and related services. They focus on criminal justice and employment, with supporting work on broader mental health and public policy.

[SR 220908]

 

 

People with substance misuse problems

Alcohol Resources

A collection of resources from the North West Public Health Observatory.

[SR 220908]

 

Alcohol services in primary care

A framework for alcohol services in primary care from NHS Primary Care Contracting with examples of good practice around alcohol services in primary care and can be adapted and used as a basis for an enhanced service via a schedule within a local primary care contract or Service Level Agreement.

[AG 021008]

 

Contracts, service agreements and specifications

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse

[AG 111108]

 

HubCAPP

The Hub of Commissioned Alcohol Projects and Policies is used by commissioners and policy makers to share knowledge and practice regarding local alcohol initiatives across England. Reports on the policies, decisions and strategic history that enabled projects to come into existence.  There is also an e-bulletin which outlines the most recent projects added and follows a complete case study from policy to practice.

[SLB 100209]

 

Drug misuse

 DH page on drug misuse

[HT 161008]