MONITOR is asking patients what they think of Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s (NEW Devon CCG’s) decision to integrate community services in East Devon.

In November 2014, NEW Devon CCG announced the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust as its preferred provider of community services, which includes community hospitals, physiotherapy and community nursing.

On 21st January 2015, Monitor announced it would be investigating this decision, following a complaint from Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT), who have been providing community services on an interim basis in East Devon.

NDHT claims the process used by the CCG to select its preferred provider was not consistent with the CCG’s regulatory obligations.

Public and stakeholder views and opinions will form a key part of this investigation and everybody has the opportunity to feed into this process.

NEW Devon CCG stands firmly by its decision to select the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust as the preferred provider of complex adult community services in the East Devon. This follows an extensive assessment and process which concluded that integrated services are best for patients.

Dr David Jenner, a GP from Cullompton and chair of the Eastern Locality of NEW Devon CCG, said moving towards joined up services in his area was the right decision.

“We have put patients at the centre of our decision making and we have an exciting opportunity to give patients in our area the healthcare that they want. Patients and public groups have told us that they want joined up care.”

Furthermore, we remain confident that we have fulfilled all of our statutory obligations and welcome the investigation by Monitor, which we will be fully cooperating with.

A rigorous process has been undertaken by the CCG as part of this work and public and stakeholder input has been a fundamental part of that process. Views, opinions and insight have been paramount in helping shape and form the decisions we have made and directions we have pursued.

Up to date details of the Transforming Community Services (TCS) Programme undertaken by NEW Devon CCG can be found here.

Monitor has confirmed its investigation is based on a single complaint by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust on the award of preferred provider status for Eastern Locality and not related to the same process followed for the Northern or Western localities. Over the 20 months since NEW Devon CCG commenced this programme, we have adapted and flexed our approach in response to feedback and to take into account new policy developments. In doing so, we have taken careful account of national procurement regulations and also the Monitor Guidance in relation to these regulations.

All of this will be described in our response to Monitor which we will publish on our website. We would like to thank the many people whose insights and advice has helped us understand what good integration means to patients, carers and clinicians and this will underpin our response. Monitor is inviting responses from other interested third parties by 11 February 2015 and therefore we would encourage you to respond. Responses can either be sent directly to Monitor by email to coopandcompcases@monitor.gov.uk or you can email the CCG directly on d-ccg.community@nhs.net and responses will be collated and sent to Monitor on your behalf.

Monitor say they intend to publish the responses they receive, so if there’s anything confidential in your response, please let them know when you send it.