NHS England and NHS Improvement set out their vision for the future commissioning of healthcare services
NHS England and NHS Improvement’s recommendations to the Government and Parliament for an NHS Bill to address some of the issues the NHS is currently addressing has been released following last week’s board meeting.
NHS England and NHS Improvement’s recommendations to the Government and Parliament for an NHS Bill to address some of the issues the NHS is currently addressing has been released following last week’s board meeting. The paper (which can be accessed here) has a number of clear themes running through it including the extent to which the procurement regime should apply to the commissioning of healthcare services.
Paragraph 4 of the Summary Makes it clear there is a desire to see NHS healthcare services taken outside the scope of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (albeit a new regime is proposed). However, that can only come about in a number of limited circumstances:
- If the UK comes out of the EU; or
- If there is a new approach to the commissioning and provision of NHS services which removes the need to contract for healthcare services.
The first option, is of course depending on the manner and terms on which we exit the EU and as the 31st October approaches we are no clearer as to whether we will exit and if so, the terms on which we will do so. If the UK does not exit the EU or if it does so but on the basis the current procurement regime continues to apply new legislation and a significant change in approach from current commissioner/provider arrangements will be needed if NHS England and NHS Improvement’s aims are to be realised.
Speak to Rachel Whitaker for help and support on NHS commissioning, provider and governance issues as well as the impact of Brexit for you.