Demystifying NHS Finance

Audience: Clinicians and non-finance managers who have minimal knowledge of how finance works in the NHS.

We ask that you attend the first hour but the following sessions are optional and you can choose to join for some or part of these sessions, depending on what is most relevant to you and your role.

Draft agenda:

09.30 Welcome & Introduction
NHS Future-Focused Finance is committed to demystifying NHS Finance to improve clinical value. AK, FFF’s Clinical lead will set the scene for the workshop explaining how the FFF
programme aims to educate clinicians in how to navigate the new financial environment and the importance of financial training to all NHS professionals.
Speakers: Dr Akeeban Maheswaran, Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Lead for Clinical Engagement, NHS Future-Focused Finance and afternoon co-chair Pam Kaur, Commercial Finance Manager, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

09.45 Introduction to NHS Finance
This session will give overview of the ever-changing NHS Structure and how the money flows and look at NHS payment systems and how this might all change in the post-COVID era.
Speakers: Dr Akeeban Maheswaran, Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and SRO, Close Partnering Workstream, Future-Focused Finance

10.20 Introduction to Commissioning in the NHS
The commissioning system has continually evolved since its inception and will need to continue to develop in order to meet the NHS challenges today and in the future.
Commissioning will be central ensuring that the NHS delivers the triple aim of improved population health, quality of care and cost-control. This session will give you a better understanding of the following:
▪ What is commissioning?
▪ How is it changing?
▪ Regulation and Monitoring
▪ Integration and working with others
Speakers: Anthony Browne, Director of Finance Strategic Commissioning, NHS North Central London ICB

10.55 Screen/Coffee Break

11.05 Introduction to Procurement for Clinicians
This session will give an introduction to procurement in the NHS, session objectives include:
▪ Understand what procurement is
▪ How procurement works in your organisation
▪ What are category towers?
▪ What are frameworks
▪ How does your organisation buy goods, services, or capital?
Speakers: Marc Ibbotson, HCSA Learning and Development Lead, Health Care Supplies Association

11.40 Journey to an Integrated Care System – Black Country ICS
Black Country ICS is a partnership of organisations working together to improve health and care services for the people in the local area.
This session will look at the development of Integrated Care Systems on the journey to become the statutory leaders of the local health and care systems from April 2022.
Speakers: Georgina Dean, Chief Finance Officer, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

12.15 Lunch break

13.15 Introduction to NHS Costing and PLICS – Acute
This session will give attendees an Introduction to costing in Acute Trusts in the NHS looking at:
▪ What is costing?
▪ Why is it important?
▪ Understanding the patient journey and cost
▪ Patient Level Costing
▪ How costing information can be used to improve patient care
Speakers: Edward Tyson, SLR & Costing Business Partner, North Bristol NHS Trust

13:45 Introduction to NHS Costing and PLICS – Mental Health
This session will give attendees an Introduction to costing in Mental Health Trusts in the NHS looking at:
▪ What is costing?
▪ Why is it important?
▪ Understanding the patient journey and cost
▪ Patient Level Costing
▪ How costing information can be used to improve patient care
Speakers: Clare Jacklin, Senior Costing Accountant, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

14:15 Introduction to Clinical Coding
This session will give attendees an insight into the role of Clinical Coding in being paid for our services, the importance of accurate coding and the main challenges.
Speakers: Sam Levy, Deputy Head of Coding – Operational & Coding Improvement Informatics, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

14:45 Screen/Coffee Break

15:00 Introduction to Primary Care Finance

This session will give you an introduction how primary care is funded, including more information on:

▪ GP Core Contract
▪ Primary Care Networks
▪ Quality and Outcomes Framework
Speakers: Miles Earl, Head of Finance (Primary Care and Acute), NHS Devon ICB

15:30 Understanding Budgets and spreadsheets
This session aims to provide an understanding the key principles of setting and managing
your budget effectively as a budget holder in your organisation.
Speakers TBC 

16:00 Business Cases
This session will give you tips on preparing business cases, looking at:
▪ Why we need business cases?
▪ The Evolution of a Business Case
▪ Why business cases fail
▪ Top tips in working with colleagues to put together a successful bid
Speakers: Dr Akeeban Maheswaran, Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Lead for Clinical Engagement, NHS Future-Focused Finance

16.30 Close