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Procurement guide for commissioners of NHS-funded services
The Procurement Guide for Commissioners of NHS-Funded Services sets out expectations of commissioners on the use of procurement to improve services for patients, including:
- Investment in new service models or significant additional capacity;
- Upon expiry of existing contracts; or,
- Where services fail to improve through contract management
This Guide supersedes the PCT Procurement Guide published in March 2010 and the elements of Commercial Skills of the NHS concerned with the procurement of clinical services.
The Guide has been reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the White Paper: Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS which set out the Government’s strategy for the NHS including the commitment that, wherever relevant, patients should have a choice of any willing provider that meets NHS standards, within NHS prices.
The guidance is consistent with Law, including the application of the UK Public Contracts Regulations to commissioning of health services and reflects overarching principles of transparency, proportionality, non-discrimination and equality of treatment.
It should be read in that context and in conjunction with the Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition and the National Standard Contracts guidance.
Download Procurement guide for commissioners of NHS-funded services (PDF format)
Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition
Posted 2 August 2010