The NHS Confederation has long recognised the need for robust commissioning. The subject is now very much the focus of political and Government attention.

The NHS Confederation is delighted to have been active in the development of the Department of Health's (DH) commissioning framework, published last year.

The DH plans to build capability and capacity for commissioning at practice and PCT level and the framework outlines how commissioners are expected to act, for instance through the use of open tendering, and how commissioners can use their knowledge of local communities and information from patients and the public to secure 'best value' services.

We believe the commissioning framework supports PCTs and the whole business of commissioning. However, the Confederation has concerns and so continues to be engaged in influencing policy.

Our concerns include the need for the commissioning role not to be one of simply 'bolting together' a range of services, the need for further detail on information needs and the need for a clear separation between commissioning and provision.

We meet regularly with the DH on the subject of commissioning and have been active in the development of the commissioning framework.

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At a Department of Health (DH) event on 3 December, PCT Network director David Stout announced the 11 world class commissioning competencies developed by DH and its partners. The competencies describe the knowledge, skills, behaviours and characteristics that PCTs will need to develop to reach world class status

NHS Confederation policy

We have formally responded to 'Health reform in England: update and commissioning framework'. Our response can be read in this document.

How we involve members

Our PCT Network and the NHS Institute were involved in planning an event in September 2007 on moving towards achieving 'World class commissioning'. 40 per cent of participants were from PCTs. The expected event report will:

• Set out the vision for what we mean by World class commissioning
• Look at what competencies underpin this and an assurance model to support it.

This will be followed up with opportunities to test the thinking, and a conference for PCT chairs, PEC chairs and directors of commissioning in December 2007.

Through our PCT Network we work with PCT members to capture ideas on commissioning. We hold specific seminars and meetings to inform our policy positions - invitations either appear in our email bulletin Interchange Alert or are sent out individually.

We have regular meetings bringing together key stakeholders with NHS Confederation members looking at commissioning in the future. To become involved in our work programme on commissioning please contact Sarah Campbell.

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