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What Is NHS Commissioning?

The National Health Service, or NHS, provides free "at the point of use" health services to citizens of the United Kingdom. NHS Commissioning ensures the availability and quality of health services for everyone. (See References 1)

  1. Function

    • NHS Commissioning is a complicated process that combines predicting demand; planning services; procuring products; and managing health providers, such as hospitals and private treatment centers.

      In March 2008, the NHS launched "World Class Commissioning" with the aim of introducing a longer-term and more strategic approach to health planning to meet the challenge of an aging populating with a greater life expectancy. (See References 2)

    Changes

    • In July 2010, the newly-appointed Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, announced plans for a major shake-up of the NHS. Central to this is the move of most NHS Commissioning from local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), which commission health services for their local populations, to consortia of family doctors, or "General Practitioners." (See References 3)

    Controversy

    • One of the aims of the re-organization is to save £20 billion by cutting 45 percent of NHS management costs. The move has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the wisdom of handing control of the £80 billion health budget to groups of family doctors. (See References 4)

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