Network Governance Arrangements
The NENC-CHD Network is an Operational Delivery Network and is one of several across the country involved in CHD services.
The Network is governed by the North East and North Cumbria CHD Network Board, which has representatives from across the region including the Level 1 specialist surgical centre (Newcastle) and acute trusts. The board is multidisciplinary including clinicians, nurses, managers, patients, family representatives and regional commissioners.
The Network team report progress and issues through the cardiothoracic directorate at to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust Executive Team, and via NHS England Specialised Commissioning to the NHS England North Oversight Team.
Operational Delivery Networks
Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) were launched in April 2013 following the publication of the NHS England strategy to sustain and develop clinical networks, Developing Operational Delivery Networks: The Way Forward.
ODNs are established across England within the geographical areas of the Clinical Senates. ODNs are focussed on coordinating patient pathways between providers over a wide area to ensure access to specialist resources and expertise.
Success factors for ODNs are:
- Improved access and egress to/from services at the right time
- Improved operating consistency
- Improved outcomes
- Increased productivity
More information can be found on the NHS England website.
Operational Policy
The Operational Policy defines the scope of the Network and outlines aims and objectives to which the Network Board and Network Team work towards.
The Network aims to provide services in line with agreed national standards of care and which operate within a Network Model encompassing the whole lifetime of care.
The Network will support the Level 1 centre and work collaboratively with the peripheral centres to develop and support national, regional and network arrangements that facilitate mentorship and centre-to-centre referrals.