Information for Commissioners
As the NHS continues to evolve, the role of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and healthcare commissioners has become increasingly complex, balancing local priorities, national policy and the need for high-quality, safe, sustainable services. We understand that commissioning is not just about buying services – it’s about designing care that delivers value, improves outcomes, and supports the long-term sustainability of the NHS. That’s why we work closely with our members to ensure that every commissioning decision is informed, strategic and aligned with both local needs and national priorities.
What is commissioning?
Commissioning is about making sure people get the right health services at the right time. It includes:
- Understanding what people need;
- Planning services to meet those needs;
- Choosing the right providers;
- Checking that services are working well.
Why It Matters
Good commissioning means better care for patients. We believe your community deserves high-quality services that are:
- Well planned;
- Value for money;
- Focused on improving health.
The Technical Side
Commissioning is governed by statutory duties and legal frameworks, including the Health and Care Act 2022 and the NHS Act 2006. These set out responsibilities for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS England to plan, purchase and monitor services in a way that promotes population health and value.
The Provider Selection Regime (PSR), introduced in 2024, replaces previous procurement regulations and offers a more flexible, transparent approach to selecting providers. It supports collaboration and integration while ensuring decisions are made in line with procurement principles.
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) codes are used to classify healthcare services in commissioning and procurement. These codes help ensure consistency, transparency and compliance with national and international procurement standards.
The 2025 NHS Mandate and Operational Planning Guidance emphasise three strategic shifts: from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention and from analogue to digital. These priorities shape commissioning decisions and encourage innovation, efficiency and equity in service design.
The NHS Long-Term Plan supports integrated care, prevention and better use of resources through system-led service design.
Core20PLUS5 Framework helps commissioners address health inequalities by focusing on the most deprived 20% of the population and five key clinical areas: maternity, severe mental illness, chronic respiratory disease, early cancer diagnosis, hypertension.
2025/26 Operational Planning Guidance, enabling systems to deliver on national priorities through collaborative commissioning, productivity improvement, and better outcomes.
Who we support
We work with:
- NHS organisations;
- Local authorities;
- Voluntary and community groups;
- Independent providers.
A Collaborative Approach
We believe the best commissioning happens when it’s co-produced – planned and delivered together with local partners and communities. We see our role as one of support, not just direction, bringing people together, sharing what works and helping you build on your strengths.
Let’s work together
If you need help with commissioning or want to talk about your options, we’re ready to listen. That’s why we’re here, to work with you not just for you. Together we can shape services that are effective, sustainable, and focused on what matters most: better care for patients.
We’re here to help you plan and buy health services that meet the needs of your communities today, tomorrow and in the future.
In this time of great demand and pressure, we can work together for the benefit to the NHS and patient care.