4.4 In the first year following its establishment (2002-03), the North West London Strategic Health Authority kept a distance from the scheme, although it had a Non-Executive Director on the Joint Project Board. It also set deadlines for the scheme, highlighted the interests of Primary Care Trusts with those of the Campus partners and gave strong direction as to how the scheme should proceed. It did not have any influence over Imperial College. In the latter stages of the scheme, the role of the Strategic Health Authority blurred into that of a project partner, whose principal distinct role was to act as a conduit between the scheme and the Department.
From September 2004 the Chair or Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority chaired the Principals' Group.
8 | Generic organisation al responsibilities for Outline Business Cases | |
Organisation/Post | Responsibility in construction of Outline Business Cases | |
HM Treasury | None normally, but in the case of the Campus scheme, after October 2003, the Treasury was responsible for granting or withholding approval of a new OBC. | |
Department of Health | Private Finance Unit responsible for giving advice and support to the NHS; In the case of the Campus scheme, after October 2003 the Department was responsible for granting or withholding approval of a new OBC. | |
Trust Board | The Trust board is responsible for effective oversight of the project, holding the Project Board and the Trust Chief Executive to account. | |
Trust Chief Executive | The project owner and accountable officer for the transaction is the NHS Trust Chief Executive. The Chief Executive has ultimate responsibility for delivering the scheme, and as such owns the deal. S/he is an accountable officer (through the NHS Chief Executive to Parliament) and is therefore responsible for ensuring value for money and appropriate use of public funds. | |
Project Board | This should be constituted as a committee to enable it to act directly on behalf of the NHS Trust and to be accountable to the NHS Trust board. Should be given clear terms of reference and stated areas of delegated discretion from the NHS Trust board. | |
Strategic Health Authority | The Strategic Health Authority is responsible for the performance management of the NHS in its area. Specifically, it will: ■ be involved in the preparation of OBC; ■ participate in the Project Board; and ■ formally approve the OBC before submission to the Department of Health | |
Primary Care Trusts | Responsible for commissioning care from NHS Trusts. For capital schemes they: ■ are involved in the preparation of OBC; ■ participate in the Project Board; and ■ formally endorse the OBC. | |
Source: Department of Health Capital Investment Manual and National Audit Office | ||