Dorset ICS UEC Transformation Programme - Diagnostic Exercise

The Dorset system has not been able to restore the full end to end UEC (urgent and emergency care) pathway to pre-COVID performance. There has been significant emphasis on improving the UEC pathway, however the rate of improvement is not sufficient to deliver the changes necessary within the financial constraints of all partners.

To address these challenges, partners want to work together as an integrated care system to support more people to live independently at home and experience the high-quality environment and facilities that Dorset has to offer.

A key element of this is working together to ensure that available hospital capacity is utilised effectively. We need to improve the flow across our hospital system to provide better and more timely outcomes for people, releasing more capacity for elective care and ensuring that sufficient capacity is available to meet urgent care requirements. At the same time, we need to ensure that limited social care resource is used effectively and the assets and strengths of individuals, families and their communities are fully utilised.

To achieve these outcomes partners have committed to a system wide, end to end transformation programme, initially focusing on the urgent and emergency care pathway.

To support the delivery of the programme a 'strategic improvement partner' is required to undertake a 'diagnostic review' during July and August 2024. This will be the first phase in a longer-term transformation programme.

The partner will be a highly experienced consultancy partner, with extensive experience of working to improve health and care systems and a commitment to a delivery model where payment of a fixed fee is contingent on the delivery of agreed outcomes.

This procurement is to undertake an initial 6 week 'diagnostic review' to inform and shape the longer term UEC Transformation Programme.