Donna Sidonio Head of Primary Care Services, Department of Health

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Donna SidonioHead of Primary Care
Services,Department of Health

• Alternative Provider Medical Services(APMS)

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Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS)

• Why has it been introduced?
• How can it be used?
• What are the expectations to use it?
• Next steps?

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APMS

• One of four primary medical care contracting
  routes available to PCTs
• Other routes are nGMS, PMS and PCTMS

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Collectively these routes provide

• a framework for PCTs to commission primary
  medical services strategically across a range of
  possible providers
• flexibility to plan and develop services in a
  range of scenarios

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APMS can be used for

• Essential services
• Additional services where practices opt-out
• Enhanced services
• OOH services
• Or a combination of any of the above

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APMS enables PCTs to contract with

• Commercial
• Voluntary
• Mutual service providers
• Public bodies
• NHS Trusts or Foundation Trusts for primary
  medical services
• GMS/PMS practices through a separate APMS contract

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APMS Directions and Guidance

• Minimal statutory requirements
• Common quality standards with PMS

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APMS

• A very versatile option
• Gives PCTs considerable discretion to shape
  services

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Opportunities include

• recruitment/retention issues
• increase capacity
• address need in areas of under-provision
• service re-provision (eg opt-outs)
• services for specific population
• develop innovative approaches to service delivery

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Expectations ?

• Ministers keen to see APMS developments
• A versatile, flexible contracting route alongside
  other options
• A lever to help shape change in primary medical
  services

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Where are we at present?

• About 55 of OOH services through APMS
• PCTs and providers actively exploring APMS for
  non-OOH
• APMS developments starting to take place

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Issues

• nGMS and PMS implementation
• cautious APMS mindset amongst PCTs, SHAs and
  providers
• some practical and process issues being
  addressed

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APMS discussions taking place for-

• enhanced services (eg sexual health)
• GP vacancies/retirements
• major service re-design (eg LIFT, pharmacy and
  dental contracts)

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APMS Support

• APMS Stakeholder Forum - sharing knowledge and
  learning
• APMS Procurement Toolkit and model contract
  due April 2005

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Next Steps?

• On-going central support for APMS and
  stakeholders
• Share learning at national and local level
• Discussions with stakeholders

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Next Steps?

• PCTs to factor APMS in as a contracting tool
• Pro-active stakeholder engagement
• Exchanges between stakeholders
• Keen to see emerging practice

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APMS Resources

• APMS Stakeholder Forum www.nhsconfed.org
• NHS Supplier Information Databas www.pasa.nhs.uk
• Donna.sidonio_at_dh.gsi.gov.uk