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World class commissioning competencies

photograph of professional examining girl patient

To become world class, commissioners will need to develop the knowledge, skills, behaviour and characteristics of a world class organisation.  They will do this by developing a set of core organisational competencies.

In summary world class commissioners will:

  • locally lead the NHS
  • work with community partners
  • engage with public and patients
  • collaborate with clinicians
  • manage knowledge and assess needs
  • prioritise investment
  • stimulate the market
  • promote improvement and innovation
  • secure procurement skills
  • manage the local health system
  • make sound financial investments

The process of defining and developing these competencies is dynamic.  As commissioners move to operate at world class levels, new competencies will emerge and details of the expectations within existing competencies will sharpen as knowledge grows and experience develops.

However, world class commissioning is not an end in itself.  In order to be successful, commissioners will need to demonstrate better health and well-being for all, better care for all and better value for all: adding life to years and years to life.

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