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New Scottish Procurement Policy Note: Preparing to transition towards a National Care Service for Scotland (7/2021)

Scottish Procurement has issued a new Scottish Government Policy Note 7/2021 to advise public bodies involved in the commissioning and procurement of social care services of the action they can take to prepare for the transition towards a National Care Service for Scotland (NCS).

Key points

Commissioning and procurement decisions being taken now can support the transition towards a National Care Service for Scotland. Public bodies should therefore:

  • Review current Strategic Commissioning Plans to identify opportunities for alignment with ethical commissioning and procurement principals
  • Consider the impact of decisions on resources and the social care market to enable our collective focus on implementation and consider the use of contract extensions or modifications where feasible
  • Maximise opportunities in new procurement decisions to introduce ethical procurement principles and use the flexibility of the Light Touch Regime

The Scottish Government conducted a survey which included proposals to change responsibilities for the commissioning and procurement of social care services.

Commissioning and procurement decisions being taken now impact on:

  • People who use care services
  • Providers’ ability to respond to ethical commissioning and procurement requirements
  • Public bodies’ to fully engage in the new and changing responsibilities for a National Care Service, for example by over committing resources on legacy projects

SPPN 7/2021 can be read in full on the Scottish Government website.

SDP Scotland

The Supplier Development Programme has issued previous communication regarding SPPNs which can be viewed on the www.sdpscotland.co.uk.

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