GP Access Fund in Milton Keynes

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver the GP Access Fund service in Milton Keynes. In October 2013, the Prime Minister announced a new £50 million Challenge Fund to help improve access to general practice and stimulate innovative ways of providing primary care services.

NHS England was asked to lead the process of inviting organisations to submit innovative bids and oversee the program. The Milton Keynes programme was part of the second wave of 37 schemes announced in April 2015.

From 1st April 2017 responsibility to GPAF moves to CCGs with CCGs becoming required to secure services following appropriate procurement processes. From 1st April 2017 all practices in Milton Keynes are expected to have access to the services provided within the GPAF.

The General Practice Access Fund Service will deliver a GP-led service for the registered population of Milton Keynes, primarily delivered outside of core primary care working hours (i.e. not Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm) to improve patient access to general practice by creating additional pre-bookable primary care appointments through a centralised system. The objectives of the Service are to: • Deliver high quality GP services, at times outside the GP services contract and in addition to existing services; • Create and facilitate primary care based models for working at scale; • To improve patient experience • To improve patient access to primary care services In addition, in October 2014 NHS England invited applications to become a second wave pilot to test innovative ways of increasing access and delivering wider transformational change in general practice.

A bid on behalf of Milton Keynes Primary Care Collaboration, which included developing a children's service in primary care, was successful. Specifically for the children's service a review will be undertaken of the team in conjunction with community nursing services for children across the 3 main providers in Milton Keynes.

This review will be undertaken between January and April 2017 and will inform the model of future service provision. The children's primary care team provides unscheduled and planned care for children and young people.

The service aims to deliver specialist skilled nursing care within a primary care setting, improving access to primary care services close to home, averting admission to hospital and attendance at A&E, fostering independence and recognising and respecting family involvement in the planning and delivery of all aspects of their child's care. For those interested in this opportunity, the documentation can be accessed on the web portal BravoSolution at https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk/