What is PAMMS?
The Provider Assessment And Market Management Solution (PAMMS) is an online assessment tool, which is used to help us assess the quality of care and contractual compliance delivered by providers of adult social care services.
Why we are using PAMMS
We are using the PAMMS assessment tool for many reasons:
- Providers and the monitoring team will work more closely to achieve better outcomes for residents of Devon.
- It gives care providers the opportunity to sense-check their internal quality audits against our independent audit
- It provides a standardised and consistent approach to reviewing contractual compliance across the South West region. (PAMMS is used by most of the authorities in the South West of England)
- It enables an objective review of contractual compliance to be undertaken. This supports providers in establishing what is working really well and what areas may require improvement
- Action plan tool to support collaborative working with providers. It identifies where we can provide additional support, signposting or referral to expert teams. For example, infection control, fire safety or diabetes management
- It can lead to improved Care Quality Commission ratings for providers
What will be assessed?
A service will be rated by PAMMS in the following areas, based on the evaluation undertaken by the Council officer:
- Involvement and information
- Personalised care and support
- Safeguarding and safety
- Suitability of staffing
- Quality of management
What will the outcome of the PAMMS assessment be?
After the assessment is complete, your service will be given a contractual compliance outcome of either: Non-compliant, Partially compliant, Compliant, Exceeds compliance
We will send you the assessment details for you to supply your comments. The officer will take your comments into account to reach their final decision.
If you receive a rating of ‘Non-compliant’ or ‘Partially compliant’ you will need to submit a service improvement plan with timescales for actions to be completed, which will be monitored.
Will the final PAMMS report be a public document?
There are no plans to publish providers full report or quality ratings at this time
Feedback from Managers who have had a PAMMS review as part of the pilot
“Participating in PAMMS assessments has made us more confident and prepared for and inspection from CQC.”
“The PAMMS assessment provided us with valuable insights that helped identify areas where we could improve our service delivery and resident experience.”
Is a PAMMS audit and CQC inspection the same?
No, but there is a close relationship between the PAMMS assessment and CQC’s current inspection requirements.
The PAMMS assessment is a supportive tool that we use. It is intended to help providers prepare for a CQC visit. The assessment report will show any high achieving service areas. If you have any questions relating to the PAMMS assessment process please email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk