Service planning

Where there is a need for national planning of a service, the NHSS National Planning Board will oversee it. It may be a recommendation that has arisen from a review of current services or a National Planning commission. Entirely new services are also sometimes set up.

The Board may commission a portfolio group to take this forward, or they may establish a short life planning group.

Some of the considerations for the group will include:

• the service need based on the population
• what service, if any, is currently available
• what the new service might need to include e.g. diagnostics, interventions, follow up
• what the pathway would be
• the workforce needed to deliver the service, including any special skills
• any building and equipment requirements
• any technology needed
• what other services might be needed nearby
• the evidence for clinical benefit
• costs