Lessons from the Vanguard: Procurement

Abstract

This short paper sets out learning from Dudley on the above topic. Its fundamental argument is simple: that NHS commissioners should be allowed to award an ‘Integrated Care Provider (ICP) contract’ to an NHS provider without having to undertake a large-scale procurement process. This would enable the system to reap the potential benefits of this contractual form while removing the costs of procurement and related concerns around privatisation. The paper was produced by Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and its partners the Strategy Unit. It draws on Dudley’s experience as a ‘Vanguard’ site under the New Care Models programme.