In September 2008, PUK launched an innovative programme for commissioners, to directly support the development of World Class Commissioning in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). The programme is aligned with the World Class Commissioning Assurance Framework. It directly supports the delivery of ‘Our Health, Our Care, Our Say’ and ‘Our NHS, Our Future’, with its focus on transforming the commissioning of Community and Primary Care Services. The programme gives commissioners the framework to create real momentum and change, around the development of their core business.

Through this programme with PCT Commissioners, and our work more broadly across the public sector, we recognise that all commissioners face similar challenges and a requirement to develop their skills and capabilities to effect a real change in the outcomes for service users. The core components of our programme translate readily to meet these requirements.

Starting with an evaluation of commissioning capabilities, the programme then supports the development of strategies that seek to stimulate the creation of a contestable provider market and then for procuring and contracting with this market. The programme is designed to encourage collaborative working where there is in-house provision, so that this provider also becomes a vibrant player in the market.

The programme is delivered through hands-on project and programme management support, with PUK acting in a ‘critical friend’ capacity and with its delivery partners, working shoulder-to-shoulder with commissioners. This approach is designed for maximum transfer of skills and capabilities back into the organisation.

If you would like more information about PUK’s Commissioning Programme, please contact 
public.services@partnershipsuk.org.uk or call 020 7273 8056.