The aim of the policy is to:

• Provide a rationale and process to allow services to be identified for review prior to any decision to decommission, disinvest or invest in services.
• Deliver best value for money by ensuring that local health care resources are directed to the most effective services for the local population.
• Ensure all commissioned services are monitored in terms of performance and health outcomes.
• Efficiency, demand management and fitness for purpose to allow for a robust decision to be made regarding continuation of that service.
• Contribute to the delivery of the ICB’s commissioning plan and efficiency agenda, to ensure that resources are directed to the highest priority area to achieve the best possible health outcomes for the local population against available resources.
• Ensure all investment, decommissioning and disinvestment decisions are taken in a fully informed manner and follow a set procedure agreed by the ICB Board.
• Ensure that the way in which commissioning decisions are made reflect the ICB Operating Model and are in line with the commissioning cycle.
• Ensure the safety of patients remains paramount.

A copy of the policy can be found here.