Getting it right for everyone (GIRFE)

Wider application of GIRFE principles 

Collaborative commissioning

The Getting It Right For Everyone principles can be used broadly by organisations.  This example demonstrates how working together with people to design good services can ensure these services are high-quality, respect people’s rights and truly meet their needs. 

Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP) used the GIRFE and ethical commissioning principles in the development of new service contracts to ensure they got it right for everyone from the start.

They worked with service users, families, staff and providers, to design how the services should look.  Sessions on collaborative commissioning were also held with providers.

A self-assessment tool was used to plot the GIRFE principles against a six point scale.  How these principles supported ethical commissioning, person-centred care, involving people with lived experience, human rights and high-quality care were explored.

Tendering

Applicants were asked six questions, covering a variety of topics and themes, that were then scored.

The first question was: “Being mindful of the GIRFE principles, what methods would you use to ensure that people receive high-quality, human rights-based care and support which puts them at the centre of the decision-making process and that assessed personal outcomes are met.”

Answers were scored as: acceptable, good or excellent.  This approach made sure the GIRFE principles were put into practice, focusing on the impact of services on individuals.

All new and renewed contracts follow this collaborative commissioning approach which is being adopted by other HSCP’s across Scotland.

Community appointments

Moray Health and Social Care Partnership applied the core principles of GIRFE to host a Community Appointment Day for over 200 people on the Musculoskeletal waiting list. It provided an efficient and supportive way for individuals to access the care and support they needed.

Held in a local sports hall, the event ensured people:

• had their needs identified – by being met on arrival by a professional who worked with them to create My Plan, outlining all the support they needed
• actively participated in planning their care and benefited from collaborative input – by discussing needs directly with relevant professionals to determine the most appropriate support
• accessed multiple services in one place – various professionals (physiotherapists, podiatrists, and others) were available under one roof
• received proactive, preventative care – by addressing needs early and comprehensively, escalation was prevented and well-being promoted