Monitor launches consultation on proposed Commissioner Requested Services Guidance

Published on: 16th August 2012

Monitor has today launched the draft Commissioner Requested Services and Protected Services Guidance for consultation.

The guidance sets out a process for commissioners to follow to ensure that key NHS services remain available for patients if a provider gets into serious financial difficulty.

Commissioner Requested Services are services that will be considered by the commissioner for protection should a provider fail. The system will form part of Monitor's Continuity of Service framework which aims to make sure patients continue to have access to the services they need in their local area.

As part of the Continuity of Service framework, Commissioners will decide which services should be designated Commissioner Requested Services and the guidance helps them to do this. Providers of Commissioner Requested Services will be subject to additional licence conditions in the proposed NHS provider licence, which was released for consultation on 31 July 2012.

Jason Mann, Transition Policy Director at Monitor said,

"We need a continuity of service framework that protects patients whilst allowing commissioners and providers to work together to deliver the right services for their local community.

"The guidance is an important part of the continuity of service framework which is our primary means of making sure key services continue to be available to patients should a provider experience serious difficulties.

"It is very important that we get the guidance right and we urge people to get involved with the consultation to help the NHS continue to deliver high quality services for patients in the future."

Notes to Editors

  1. The Consultation on the Commissioner Requested Services guidance: The consultation will start on 16 August 2012 and run for 12 weeks until 8 November 2012. Commissioner Requested Services guidance will act as a guide for clinical commissioning groups as they work to ensure the availability of good quality NHS services for patients if a provider has serious financial problems.
  2. Other consultations: Monitor is launching a number of other consultations and documents over the next six months. Further information can be found here: http://www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk/monitors-new-role/feed-back-your-views-t...
  3. About Monitor: Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 Monitor’s main duty will be to protect and promote the interests of people who use health care services by promoting the provision of services which is economic, efficient and effective and maintains or improves the quality of services. More information about Monitor's new role can be found here: http://www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk/monitors-new-role/-introduction-monitors...

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