Commissioning

Commissioners must build on past success – NHS Confederation

The NHS must reflect on the successes and failures of the past ten years of PCT commissioning, the NHS Confederation has urged in its new report.

‘Ambition, challenge, transition: reflections on a decade of NHS commissioning’ includes interviews with leading clinicians and recommends how to build on their best practice, whilst avoiding any pitfalls.

The report highlights the need for commissioners to put community at the front and centre and establish constructive relationships with partners and patients. It is endorsed by the NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC).

NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar said: “It would be wrong to pretend the past decade has been plain sailing, but it would be equally wrong to think NHS commissioning is starting again from scratch.

“From when they first took on their full responsibilities in 2002, many PCTs made significant progress in developing the process of health service commissioning, as well as improving the care of their local communities, and managing all the other challenges they faced.

“It is vital that we don't lose this knowledge as we enter the new era of CCG-led local commissioning and national specialised commissioning. April 2013 isn't a blank sheet for new commissioners – they must stand on the shoulders of their predecessors' successes as they plan out the best way of improving services and the health of their populations.”

Co-chair of the NHSCC's Leadership Group, GP and chair of NHS Bassetlaw CCG, Dr Steve Kell said: “Our organisations may be new, but we know we must be conscious of what has come before. As clinicians, and as local commissioners, we recognise the importance of learning from previous commissioning arrangements in an open and constructive way.

“It is essential we take forward what worked, while learning the right lessons where things were not as effective as they might have been. We must build on the experience and insight from the past to have a strong and effective future.”

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