Kirklees - Procurement

A Guide to doing business with Kirklees Council can be downloaded from http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/publications/procurement/doingbusinessguide.pdf

Ten tips for tendering

can be downloaded from http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/business/procurement/tentips.shtml

Contracts Register

can be downloaded from http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/publications/procurement/KCContractRegister.pdf

Winning Council Business

can be downloaded from

http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/publications/procurement/winningbusinessbooklet.pdf Aug 2006

Green Issues

are explored in a document which can be downloaded from http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/environment/enviromanagement/greening/greening.shtml

Equality Standard

This standard has been developed to help contractors understand the assessment criteria used by Kirklees Council in the Procurement and Contracting Process.

The documents can be downloaded from http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/publications/procurement/equalityinprocurement.pdf

and http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/publications/procurement/EqualityStandardAppendix.pdf

NHS commissioning role

Our main function is that of a commissioner of NHS services for the people of Kirklees.

Commissioning in the NHS is the process by which we ensure the health and care services provided most effectively meet the needs of the population. It is a complex process with responsibilities ranging from assessing population needs and prioritising health outcomes to producing products and services, and managing service providers.

We have a statutory duty to carry out a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment with the local authority. Working with Kirklees Council's adult, children and young people's services we use this assessment to develop our services and plan for the years ahead.

Ultimately good commissioning in the health service will help people live healthier and longer lives.

Therefore our commissioning responsibilities include:

A detailed understanding of the health and care needs of the people of Kirklees
A good knowledge and understanding of health care research and evidence based practice
Strong partnership working with other key partners who can influence the health and well-being of local people
Good links with patients, carers and the local community to understand their experiences of local health services and how they can be supported and encouraged to live healthier lives
Expertise in drawing up detailed service specifications and procuring services from a broad range of providers including the independent and voluntary sector as well as mainstream NHS providers
Contract management, performance and evaluation

While there is a lot to be proud of in the way we commission services in the NHS there are also a number of significant opportunities for improvement. During 2008/09 and beyond we will be working towards achieving outstanding performance in the way we commission health and care services in line with the Department of Health's World Class Commissioning initiative.