Commissioning will be central to the NHS meeting the challenges it faces today and in the future, and in ensuring that the NHS delivers the triple aim of improved population health, quality of care and cost-control. In order to deliver the triple aim, commissioning will need to continue to develop as it has since its inception.

There will be a need for commissioners to work more closely together, aligning their objectives with providers and taking a more strategic, place-based approach to commissioning. Integrated care systems, devolution and co-commissioning will all play key roles in ensuring that the value of each pound spent in local areas is maximized.

Intention to delegate commissioning functions to integrated care systems, July 2021

In this letter Amanda Pritchard, Chief Operating Officer, confirms the intention to delegate some NHS England commissioning functions to integrated care systems from April 2022, subject to Parliamentary approval.

Update on NHS England commissioning functions for delegation to integrated care systems, April 2023

In this letter Mark Cubbon, Chief Delivery Officer, sets out the next steps for the delegation of NHS England direct commissioning functions for April 2023, including a roadmap about integrating specialised services within integrated care systems.

It has been agreed that the full budget for the pharmaceutical, ophthalmic and dental (POD) functions and the direct commissioning POD staff (including vacancies), will be transferred to ICBs to support the safe delivery of these delegated functions, details of these plans are outlined in this letter.

NHS provider selection regime

Find out more about the new set of rules for arranging healthcare services in England.