Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they have ensured that the lessons learned from the Public Accounts Committee report identifying significant weaknesses in central government’s capacity to monitor and enforce contracts are extended to the role of Clinical Commissioning Groups.

NHS England is currently undergoing a transformation of its commercial and procurement functions and, as part of this process, a need has been identified for improved contract management process and for the deployment of skilled contract management resources within the organisation.

With regard to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), NHS England has established a Lead Provider Framework Agreement for CCGs (and other public sector entities), providing access to commissioning support services, including procurement and contract management capability. NHS England’s website provides a large number of tools, resources and ‘how to use’ website, all of which can be accessed at: www.england.nhs.uk/lpf. The Lead Provider Framework provides access to nine accredited providers of commissioning support services who are already providing effective contracts and procurement support at scale to other CCGs and commissioners. Most CCGs have undertaken – or are in the process of undertaking – a review of commissioning support needs in order to determine the most effective way of meeting their future capacity and capability requirements, and are supported by NHS England in their make/share/buy decisions and any subsequent procurements under the Lead Provider Framework.

As indicated, the Lead Provider Framework has numerous tools and resources which are too large to attach to this reply or place in the Library, therefore it can only be accessed via NHS England’s website.