[holding answer 16 October 2006]: We do not always engage consultants on a project basis, but McKinsey and Co. were involved in the following workstreams for assisting the Department with national health service reforms in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07:
2004-05
Preparing case studies on implementing new financial flows and contracting arrangements for NHS Foundation Trusts. Two further projects were commissioned to assess international best practice in funding health care systems through payment by results, and evaluating wave one foundation trusts.
2005-06 and 2006-07 to date
Assisting in developing a strategy for the Commercial Directorate's Commercial Advisory Board;
Acting as advisers to the Commercial Directorate to assist in the development of the independent sector procurement programme;
Assisting in developing and implementing the Department's internal high level review;
Engaged in delivering waves one and two of the PCT fitness for purpose programme;
Supporting the Department in assessing the impact of UK health system reform on clinical quality.