WHC (2006) 002 WELSH HEALTH CIRCULAR Parc Cathays Cathays Park Caerdydd CF10 3NQ Cardiff CF10 3NQ Issue Date: 18 January 2006 Status: Action Title: Development of Business Cases for Major Diagnostic Equipment For Action by: Action required Chief Executives: NHS Trusts Guidance for immediate use Chief Executives: Local Health Boards For Information to: See attached list Sender: Mr Paul Nicholls, Acting Head of Capital & Estates, Resources Directorate, Health and Social Care Department, National Assembly for Wales National Assembly contact(s) : Kevin Tucker, Project Manager, Diagnostics Services Strategy, Programme Management Unit, 6th Floor, Churchill House, Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HH Tel 02920 207616 email [email protected] Tel: 029 20825111 GTN: 1208 Llinell union/Direct line: 029 2020 7616 Ffacs/Fax: 029 2020 9520 http://howis.wales.nhs.uk/whcirculars.cfm Distribution List Chief Executives NHS Trusts Chief Executives Local Health Boards Director Welsh NHS Confederation Chief Officer Association of Welsh Community Health Councils Director Welsh Local Government Association Dean University of Wales, Bangor Chief Executive Commission for Racial Equality Secretary British Dental Association in Wales Postgraduate Dean University of Wales College of Medicine Director information services University of Wales College of Medicine Secretary British Medical Association (Wales) Regional Head of Health UNISON Board Secretary Royal College of Nursing (Wales) Welsh Council Representative British Dietetic Association Wales Secretary British Orthoptic Society Wales Secretary AMICUS MSF Regional Secretary The GMB Regional Secretary Transport & General Workers Union Chair Community Pharmacy Wales Chair Royal College of General Practitioners General Secretary Wales TUC Assistant Director Chartered Society of Physiotherapists Officer for Wales Society of Radiographers IR Officer Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Regional Secretary Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians Board Secretary for Wales Royal College of Midwives Officer for Wales AMICUS Electrical & Engineering Staff Association Regional Secretary AMICUS Amalgamated Electrical and Engineering Union Welsh Executive Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Information Officer Wales Council for Voluntary Action National Member for Wales AMICUS - Guild of Health Care Pharmacists Business manager Institute of Health Care Management Welsh Division Chief Executive Association of Optometrists Librarian British College of Optometrists Auditor General Wales Audit Office Director Business Service Centre Secretariat Statutory Committees Regional Directors NHS Wales Regional Offices Chief Executive Health Commission Wales (Specialist Services) Chief Executive Health Professions Wales National Director National Public Health Service Librarian National Public Health Service Chief Executive Welsh Language Board / Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg Librarian Health Promotion Library Chief Executive National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare Director Delivery and Support Unit Dear Colleague, Development of Business Cases for Major Diagnostic Equipment 1. This circular sets out the process for the submission of business cases for major diagnostic equipment funded from the All Wales Capital Investment Programme. It supplements WHC (2006) 001 issued on 5 January 2006. 2. The process for the submission of business cases will follow the guidance set out in WHC (2006) 001. However, for all strategic diagnostic equipment purchases, agreement of the Regional Imaging Network will be required. The Regional Imaging Network will ensure the following: • that the proposal is consistent with regional service plans and national policy (with particular emphasis on Access 2009) • that value for money is achieved, wherever possible through central purchasing from negotiated framework agreements Regional Imaging Networks will oversee the development of imaging capacity across each region to ensure that the right equipment is in the right place for patients to receive the appropriate investigation in a timely manner. 3. For these purposes strategic equipment to be funded from the All Wales Capital Investment Programme is considered to be: • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) • Computerised Tomography • Fluoroscopy (including interventional fluoroscopy equipment, but excluding mobile image intensifier units) • Nuclear Medicine • Digital Radiography (including digital mammography) 4. Funding will be available for new and replacement equipment against agreed Regional Imaging Network priorities. NHS Trusts may use discretionary capital to fund these items but will be expected in any event to discuss their proposals with the Regional Imaging Network. This would also apply to funding from charitable sources. For all schemes, the NHS Trust will be responsible for any additional revenue costs and these must be agreed with commissioners. 5. In order to simplify the process, the Business Justification Case will generally be used for all schemes. Details are included in WHC (2006)001. For particularly complex cases involving multiple sites and equipment, a five case model business case may be required. 6. Over the next few months, the Diagnostic Strategy Programme Team will work with the Regional Imaging Networks to develop a Strategic Outline Programme for Diagnostics which will be approved by the Diagnostics Project Board. This will set out the planned investment programme in this area for the next five years. 7. Regional Imaging Networks are currently being established in South East Wales and North Wales. The “Network” in Mid and West Wales is already in operation. As a priority, Regional Imaging Networks will be asked to consider immediate priorities to ensure that there are no delays in essential areas of development. Regional Imaging Networks will be co- ordinated by the Regional Offices and supported by the Diagnostics Strategy Programme Team. They will ensure that clinical and professional interests are fully represented. 8. Regional contacts are: • Mid & West Wales – Tony Hurrell, Acting Regional Director. Email: [email protected] • South East Wales – Phil Davies, Head of Performance. Email: [email protected] • North Wales – Lesley Law, Head of Service Redesign & Performance Improvement. Email: [email protected] Paul Nicholls Acting Head of Capital & Estates Division Resources Directorate Health and Social Care Department .