The establishment of new models of care poses commissioners challenges in relation to procurement process. Issues can include both whether it is necessary to go through competitive tendering processes and challenges in relation to competition law and regulations regarding the need to ensure that monopolistic providers are not established against the interests of patients.

The Pioneer Programme will:

• Work with Pioneers to access consistent and clear legal and other advice to develop practical solutions to procurement and competition issues
• Share practical advice/guidance with other parts of the country derived from the vanguard and pioneer sites to avoid the need for expensive legal fees at local level.