§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What evaluation of Personal Medical Service pilots will be conducted by the NHS; by whom will the pilots be carried out; when will any evaluation be completed and published; and what mechanisms will be adopted to ensure the early dissemination of successful pilot schemes. [HL3470]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)Following an open competitive tendering exercise, four individual research teams have been commissioned by the Department of Health to undertake a three-year evaluation of Personal Medical Services (PMS) pilots in England and Scotland. (PMS pilots, the first wave of which began on 1 April 1998, are currently being carried out by family doctors, nurses and community trusts). The different studies will focus on specific aspects of the pilots, thus comprising a wide-ranging programme 217WA of research. In order to minimise the demands on pilot sites, avoid duplication of research effort and promote synergistic learning across the studies, the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre (NPCRDC) at Manchester University has been commissioned to co-ordinate the research programme.
In addition, local evaluation of the PMS pilots is taking place, supported or conducted by the relevant health authority, in some cases involving external academic or consultancy support.
Within the National Health Service Executive regional office areas, the PMS pilots network with each other, both on a formal and an informal basis. The NPCRDC at Manchester University has established regular national networking meetings. Recently issued guidance on the second wave of PMS pilots, due to begin on 1 October 1999, suggested that "Health Authorities and potential pilot sites may also wish to discuss potential proposals with existing pilots and their Health Authorities".