Join us this week, as we navigate the complexities of the new provider selection regime and what it means for general practice with our guest, Ross Clark, a partner at Hemsons. The new provider selection regime, he explains, will allow integrated care boards to award contracts to providers including PCNs, GP provider companies, and federations without a competitive procurement process. Ross discusses the concept of direct award and the selection of suitable providers, which may streamline the merger and acquisition of practices. However, he also explores how these changes may complicate matters for commissioners wanting to switch providers. Alongside this, we discuss exceptions to these processes and their applicability in particular situations. This episode offers invaluable insights on how the new regime will impact practices, PCNs and federations..

Introduction (0:09)

What is the Provider Selection Regime? (1:19)

Thoughts behind the change.. (5:06)

What does this mean in practice? (7:08)

Being awarded the ‘Most Suitable Provider’.. (10:11)

When an APMS contract comes to an end.. (10:41)

Are we starting to see contracts being directly awarded to PCNs? (11:44)

Exceptions to these rules.. (14:01)

Encouraging mergers and PCN level services.. (15:10)

Can the regime work the other way? (16:27)

Impact on GP federations.. (19:27)

A federation of federations.. (21:04)

NHS Guidance updates.. (23:36)

Subcontracting contracts.. (24:21)

Timescales for the Provider Selection Regime.. (26:48)

Access The New Provider Selection Regime here and the Provider Selection Regime Guidance here. 

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.