Commissioning in a cold climate

The World Class Commissioning programme is designed to improve the capacity and capability of primary care trusts (PCTs) to deliver better care, better health and better value for the populations they serve.

This discussion paper outlines the challenges facing commissioners over the next few years and identifies actions that PCTs might take to prepare their health economies for what is to come.

Published June 2009, 12 pages

The Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners

FESC is a practical and cost effective procurement tool, created by the Department of Health, to help primary care trusts (PCTs) address gaps in commissioning capability or capacity by providing easy access to high quality commissioning solutions from pre-qualified and experienced private sector partners. This brochure sets out what FESC is, why you should consider using it and how to do so.

Published June 2009, 16 pages

Hearts and minds: commissioning from the voluntary sector

This report sets out our findings on: the extent and nature of the voluntary sector's delivery of public services; the locally perceived impact of government efforts to build capacity; the current state of commissioning; and procurement practice. The report is primarily for managers in local councils who are responsible for commissioning services, but it will also be of interest to voluntary organisations and national policymakers.

(Published July 2007, 76 pages)