NHSE admits ‘devaluing of commissioning’

NHS England hopes to tackle “a perceived devaluing of commissioning” and enhance “the skills and professional identity of commissioners”, as part of the future of integrated care boards, a leaked document reveals.

NHSE started developing the “strategic commissioning framework” late last year – before the announcement of 50% cuts to ICBs  and its own abolition – but it is still hoping to publish the document soon.

Slides outlining its plans, seen by HSJ, say: “There has been a perceived devaluing of commissioning and a consequent variation in capability and capacity to carry it out across health economies.”

It must now, it says “set out what commissioning means now, building the skills and professional identity of commissioners to meet the challenges but also the opportunities afforded in 2025”.

The draft policy expects ICBs to become “strategic commissioners”, a role the document seeks to define, from 2026-27. It is unclear if the approach will now need to be overhauled, or accelerated, as ICBs have to make deep staffing cuts by October.

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Source: HSJ, 26 March 2025