The NHS Confederation has long emphasised the need for health system reform to focus more on commissioning - the demand-side of the NHS. With the launch of the World Class Commissioning programme in late 2007, the subject is now very much on the political and policy radar.
Commissioners are responsible for planning, specifying and securing the health services required by people in their area. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are the statutory commissioners of most NHS services. They develop strategies for improving health and health care for their population, and make decisions about how NHS resources are invested. They secure access to health services for local people by agreeing contracts and service levels agreements with a range of NHS, voluntary and independent sector healthcare providers. They carry out these functions in partnership with practice-based commissioners - local primary care clinicians who are well placed to assess the health needs of people in their community and to design services that respond to those needs.
The World Class Commissioning framework was published in December 2007, and sets out a vision for excellence in commissioning leading to better health, better care and better value for patients and the public. It includes a set of competencies which PCTs must demonstrate as world class commissioners, and a process for ensuring these competencies are being developed.
The NHS Confederation welcomes the current emphasis on strengthening commissioning in the NHS. Through the Primary Care Trust Network we have been actively involved in the development of the World Class Commissioning Framework, and continue to engage with the Department of Health (DH) on policy development in this area. Our main priorities here are to ensure that PCTs are given the time, stability and support required to achieve world class commissioning status, and that the regulation of commissioning organisations is streamlined and co-ordinated.
The Confederation's Networks also work collectively to influence policy that affects relationships between commissioners and providers, for example on NHS contracts, competition rules, service re-design and market development.
Recent Confederation publications on commissioning include:
David Stout, PCT Network Director, is a member of the World Class Commissioning Board and PCT Network team/board members sit on a wide range of commissioning-focused committees and working groups. These include the National Commissioning Specialist Library Steering Group, the NICE Commissioning Steering Group, the Effective Mental Health Commissioning and System Reform Board, the Payment by results Programme Board. All of the Confederation's Networks are represented on the national stakeholder groups that are overseeing the development of the new standard contracts for acute, mental health, community and ambulance services.
Members can get involved in our work on commissioning in a number of ways.
Working mainly through our PCT Network we keep in contact with members to capture their ideas on and experiences of commissioning, and to keep them informed of national initiatives and policy proposals. We hold seminars, meetings and run consultations to inform our policy positions - invitations either appear in our email bulletin Interchange Alert, or are sent out individually to key stakeholders.
To get involved or receive more information on the NHS Confederation's work on commissioning, or to share your own ideas and examples of commissioning practice, please contact David Stout - Director, Primary Care Trust Network, or Elizabeth Wade - Senior Policy Manager (Commissioning), Primary Care Trust Network (contact details on the right-hand side):
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Last reviewed 29 Dec 2008