:: ImPACT and CEP

We would ask you take a moment to read about our current funding position and the future of evaluations within the NHS

:: ImPACT

:: what is happening at ImPACT

ImPACT is currently funded by the Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing (CEP) within NHS PASA.
Our work is now lead by the requests and project proposals submitted to -and approved by- NHS PASA. As such, you have a key role to play in deciding what evaluations and tests will we carry out in the future. Hence, we would like to draw your attention to the scheme for deciding what projects we can undertake.
For the key points of this, click here .

A very big Thank You to those who have expressed your support for the work we have done up to now. If you find our work valuable, please get involved and help to direct this customer lead system in the way you wish to see it develop.

:: what this means to you now

Currently, ImPACT are involved with the production of a CT Scanner Buyers' Guide for CEP - an aid to purchasers involved in procuring CT scanners. If you are a stakeholder - that is, if you are involved in any way in the on-going purchase of a CT scanner - please let us know so that we can help design the guide to suit your needs.

As a result of our commitment to this, we are only able to offer our other services at the lowest levels.

Although we are keen to provide the levels of service to which you have been used, we are limited in what we can do. Any requests for information through e-mail and other channels will be dealt with on an 'as and when' basis; and when we do manage, we have to prioritise enquiries from UK trusts.
Other services such as maintenance of the dosimetry spreadsheet and the Specification Comparisons tool will also be greatly reduced in this period.

We are unable to carry out any work that has not been commisioned by CEP

Should you require any services from ImPACT - especially in relation to your purchasing decision, or if you require support in other matters relating to good practice, please approach CEP directly.

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:: what is next?

Once the Buyers' Guide is complete, the team is required to work on any items commisioned by CEP; that means work which has been requested - whether it relates to our past outputs or not - is that on which we have to focus. This need not be CT related work.

If there is no demand for what we have done in the past, then this is a fair result; however if you want ImPACT to carry on doing all the things that are reflected on this web site, that is

then please think about proposing a CEP project or approaching your professional body to express your concerns.

In late 2007, there will be an announcement regarding the redesign of the evaluation commisioning within CEP. It is currently not known how this will affect ImPACT.

Similarly, the other Centres are also need their work to be shown to be of value to you. So please also consider proposing projects in any area of diagnostic imaging.

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::Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing

:: what is CEP ?

In 2004 Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF) output recommended that the Device Evaluation Service transfer to the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) , an executive agency of the Department of Health .

In September 2005, The Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing was set up within the Policy and Innovation Directorate of the Agency, and is described thus:

The Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing is building and expanding on the successes of the Device Evaluation Service. It has a new name, new mission and new web site address.

The Centre is being re-designed to deliver the HITF recommendations and serve the needs of purchasers throughout health and social care. During this business re-design, NHS PASA Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing will continue to publish independent comparative evaluation reports. Publications will be available from NHS PASA through their web site.

The systems whereby CEP will carry out their mission is outlined below. These systems are still evolving, so do please contact CEP@pasa.nhs.uk with any comments or requests.

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:: CEP projects

The Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing is undergoing an extensive business redesign, which includes a new system for commissioning the work carried out. Each piece of commissioned work will be undertaken as a project overseen and funded by CEP, currently using the existing evaluation staff.

Part of the reasoning behind the evolution of CEP is to enable it to serve the needs of users in the NHS. Need is assessed by the requests for work received through the project proposal system Generally the projects will result from items requested of - and adapted by - CEP

A list of the current CEP projects is available here.

ImPACT, and other such centres, can now undertake testing and evaluation only if a case is made to CEP by the end users: that is, those who work within UK healthcare, and in particular those in the NHS.

If there is no perceived need - that is no such requests are submitted - then scanner evaluation as currently undertaken will cease.

Please think about showing your support for the work we do by making the system aware of the need for a group such as ImPACT.

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:: propose a CEP project

Changes have been made to the process by which evalation projects are requested of the Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing. The system enables all users within - or involved with - NHS Healthcare to point out work items to be done either for single trusts, or to benefit a wider audience.

This system requires people to submit their requests in writing to a panel who will then prioritise the work undertaken by the evaluation centres, such as ImPACT.

Details of this system - including how to propose a project, a recently revised form and associated guidance - is available on the web site should you wish to propose a product, technology or related procedure for inclusion in the CEP work programme.

The next prioritisation meeting is likely to be in November ; if you would like your proposal considered at a meeting it must be received 6 weeks before this date. Exact dates are available from the CEP web site

The project proposal system is under constant review to ensure it meets the needs of the end users. Contact cep@pasa.nhs.uk with any comments on the system. Also contact them directly if you have any observations regarding the range of services available from CEP and other centres.

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