PCT procurement guide for improving services for patients

This guide outlines the use of procurement to improve services for patients. It reflects the overarching principles of transparency, proportionality, non-discrimination and equality of treatment.

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The standard NHS contracts for acute hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services and supporting guidance

These contracts support the NHS Operating Framework for 2010-2011 and should be read in conjunction with the Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition and the PCT Procurement Guide. The NHS standard contracts cover agreements between PCTs and all types of provider delivering NHS funded services. The contract will apply to agreements from April 2010 for:
NHS Trusts
NHS Foundation Trusts
New agreements between PCTs and independent sector providers
New agreements between PCTs and third sector providers

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Commercial and procurement skills for commissioners of children's services

It is vital that commissioners of children's services have access to the commercial and procurement skills needed to develop markets and procure services effectively. These guidance documents from the epartment of Health are designed to help commissioners understand and apply commercial and procurement skills in their work. The documents cover the key principles of procurement, an overview of both strategic procurement and the contracting process, an overview of resource mapping and a basic jigsaw tool designed to help commissioners understand the key principles of change management.

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HSJ - Achieve Excellence in NHS Procurement Conference

This essential conference from the Health Service Journal will enable you to get up to date with all the latest developments to help you maintain cash releasing savings in the traditional arena of purchasing and supplies; as well as maximise the role of procurement within the commissioning cycle. For further information and to book your place click here.

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Procurement and contracting support training courses for PCT Commissioners

The Procurement and contracting support training courses have been designed to cover the knowledge, core skills and competencies required by PCT commissioners. Each course builds upon the previous event to form a coherent body of knowledge. It is recommended that participants undertake all six courses in the programmed order. Click here for further information and to book your place.

New procurement helpdesk

A new procurement helpdesk is now available from NHS PCC. SHAs, commissioners and providers may use the helpdesk to ask questions and seek advice on procurement issues arising from system management policies and, in particular, the PCT Procurement Guide. Access the Help Desk here

Ethical Procurement for Health: Guidance and Toolkit

The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) has published the first national guidance on ethical procurement in healthcare for consultation on 8 December. It aims to provide procurers with a flexible framework and toolkit to help them develop policies, good practice and performance monitoring. It includes guidance, templates, tools and case examples.

IMPRESS's Dos and Don'ts of Procurement of Community Services for People with COPD

IMPRESS (Improving and Integrating Respiratory Services) has published a guide to dos and don'ts in procurement, based on a case study of the procurement of a new COPD service. It is a useful practical guide to complement the new PCT guide to procurement. Find out more here.

PCT Procurement Guide for Health Services

The PCT Procurement Guide for Health Services supports NHS commissioners in deciding whether and how to procure health services through formal tendering and market-testing exercises. The Guide sets out the policy and regulatory context for procurement, and issues to consider when developing a procurement strategy.