There are two methods of assessment in order to provide a response at formal reporting points.
• Desktop assessment by staff at HFS and A+DS based on submitted information, supplemented by conversations with project team to clarify any matters.
• Panel assessment, based on submitted information and supplemented by presentation by, and discussion with, the project team including designers.
All schemes at IA will be viewed as a desktop assessment. Some schemes at OBC and/or FBC stage will be taken to a larger panel. If this is anticipated it will be notified to the Board in the response to the IA or OBC submitted previously. Teams are encouraged to maintain a dialogue between these reporting points to ensure that risks can be identified and addressed timeously.
Notification Period : the notice given by the Board to HFS that a scheme is to be submitted to the NDAP to allow resources to be allocated to allow timeous turn-around.
• desktop assessment: 14 days.
• panel assessment: 28 days. Information must be submitted one week in advance of the panel assessment to allow the panel to digest and prepare.
Period of consideration (from receipt of information to issue of response to Board) : This is dependent on the scale of group required to consider the proposals.
• desktop assessment: 14 days unless extended discussions become necessary.
• panel assessment: 21 days from receipt of draft information = circa 14 days from panel discussion.
NB: Faster turn-around may be possible by prior consultation, and a verbal response will be provided at any panel meeting to allow work to progress whilst the paperwork is being done.
Boards should ensure that the consultation is sought in a timeous manner to allow the response to be considered within the board's development of the business case; prior to completion of the business case stage and the subsequent submission to the CIG.
(See CIG timetable www.pfcu.scot.nhs.uk/CIG.htm).