Are You Ready to Submit Your NHS Premises Assurance Model Findings on September 8th?

Introducing the NHS Premises Assurance Model: Ensuring Safety and Efficiency

The NHS Premises Assurance Model (NHS PAM) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and quality of healthcare facilities within the NHS in the United Kingdom. This model provides a comprehensive framework that helps NHS providers assess and improve the condition and management of their estates and facilities services. By adhering to the guidelines set out by the NHS PAM, NHS Trusts can enhance their oversight of estate risks, making informed decisions for the betterment of patient care and staff well-being.

The deadline for submitting the NHS PAM is Friday, 8th September 2023. It is crucial for NHS Trusts to complete and submit the required documentation by this date to ensure compliance and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a safe and efficient healthcare environment.

But what does the NHS PAM cover?

The Six Domains of the NHS PAM: Examining Requirements for Optimal Compliance

The NHS PAM encompasses six key domains, each of which addresses a specific aspect of premises assurance. These are identified as Safety Hard, Safety Soft, Governance, Effectiveness, Efficiency and Patient Experience. Each of these can be further categorised and explored in terms of:

• Organisational Governance: NHS Trusts are expected to provide information on the governance structure that ensures effective estate management, including accountability, oversight, and decision-making processes.
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and managing risks associated with the estate. Trusts are required to present evidence of comprehensive risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and incident reporting procedures.
• Compliance: Adherence to legislative requirements, national guidance, and best practices. Trusts must demonstrate compliance with relevant standards, policies, and regulations concerning health and safety, fire safety, environmental sustainability, and more.
• The Built Environment: Physical aspects of healthcare buildings and infrastructure. Trusts should provide information on the condition, functionality, and suitability of their premises, including maintenance plans, asset management, and consideration of future needs.
• Operational Management: For optimal functioning, NHS Trusts must demonstrate effective operational management. This involves robust processes for service planning, performance monitoring, staff training, security, emergency preparedness, and business continuity.
• Technology and Innovation: The NHS PAM recognises the increasing role of technology and innovation in healthcare delivery. Trusts are expected to showcase their adoption of modern technologies, such as digital systems, telemedicine, energy management solutions, and digital security measures.

Why Do You Need to Complete NHS PAM?

At the recent IHEEM Authorising Engineers Conference (Tuesday, 11th July 2023), Pete Sellars, CEO of IHEEM and past Head of Profession for NHS Estates & Facilities Policy at the Department of Health set out the background of how NHS PAM was established and mandated.

NHS PAM was launched in 2013 during Pete’s time at the Department of Health and was developed to support Trusts to deliver on the pledge outlined in the NHS Constitution “You have the right to be cared for in a clean, safe, secure and suitable environment”.

However, the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower Fire highlighted the vital importance of appropriate governance not just around fire-safety but all aspects of the estate and its related services. As a result, NHS England & NHS Improvement mandated NHS PAM and it is now included as a legal requirement under the NHS Standard Contract.

How Can You Complete The NHS PAM?

Pete was joined by Paul Kaye, Director of QuiqSolutions, who has developed specialised software for completing, tracking and reporting on NHS Premises Assurance Model findings. Paul delivered a demonstration of his software and gave a preview of packages that are currently in development in conjunction with IHEEM. Paul said the following regarding the QuiqSolutions system, which forms part of our brand new NHS Premises Assurance Model training course:

In essence what we do, is enable people to comply visibly with a full 360 view of governance.

The solution is designed to make people more productive with alerts and reminders.

It's about turning the process into something that actually drives continuous improvement.

Paul Kaye, QuiqSolutions

PPL Training's NHS Premises Assurance Model Training Course: Building a Knowledge Base for Compliance

To support NHS Trusts and Estates and Facilities teams in efficiently completing the NHS Premises Assurance Model documentation, We now offer a specialised training course. This 1 day course is designed to provide clarity on the technical requirements of the NHS PAM and its associated documentation. Participants will explore the variety of evidence required for completion and gain a deeper understanding of the scoring matrix within the documentation.

There are scenario-based exercises as part of the training course, which demonstrate best practice for capturing, recording and transferring data identified during the PAM assessment, including in-depth real-time demonstrations of the digital NHS PAM solution provided by QuiqSolutions.

The course is ideal for individuals responsible for NHS Estates and Facilities Services, including Associate/Deputy Directors of Estates & Facilities, Estates Managers/Officers, Authorised Persons, Facilities Managers, Administrative Support, and FM Managers. Additionally, other professionals involved in contract management, procurement, compliance, and finance may also benefit from the training.

By completing this City & Guilds Accredited NHS PAM training course, participants will enhance their knowledge and skills in compiling and presenting accurate data for review. This will enable them to navigate the NHS PAM requirements effectively, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of estate risks and ultimately contributing to the improvement of the quality and safety of NHS facilities.

We have course dates available right up until the NHS PAM deadline and beyond.

Enquire now with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Account Managers by calling 0333 121 1215, or email info@ppltraining.co.uk.

Alternatively, check out our course page below.