Resources to support professional development for commissioners:

Job descriptions and person specifications

The Commissioning Specialist Library has some examples of the range of roles found within commissioning.

Courses, training programmes, toolkits and online learning

(see also Section 11 Organisations that support Commissioners)

Note: there is no one central location for finding out about opportunities to develop commissioning competencies. But, a national group made up of representatives of the NHS Information Centre, the NHS Institute of Innovation and Improvement, the Department of Health, PCTs, SHAs and NLH is drawing up a list of current provision. Update on this work should be available in mid November.

[AW 021008]

Organisations

APHOs  

The Association of Public Health Observatories represents a network of 12 PHOs. They produce information, data and intelligence on people's health and health care for practitioners, policy makers and the wider community. Their expertise lies in turning information and data into meaningful health intelligence. Policy interpretaion, training for analysts, support for needs asssessment and marketing skills.

Department of Health Commissioning Support and Development

[AW 031008]

NHS Information Centre  (Commissioning)

Search the site for specific topics.

[AW 021008]

NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement  (Commissioning)

[AW 021008]

Competencies

The World Class Commissioning competencies

There are 11 competencies: Locally lead the NHS, Work with community partners, Engage with public and patients, Collaborate with clinicians, Manage knowledge and assess need, Prioritise investment, Stimulate the market, Promote improvement and innovation, Secure procurement skills, Manage the local health system and Make sound financial investments 

[SLB 270908]

Knowledge and Skills

Essential knowledge and skills have been identified in these areas:

• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Decision making
• Communication skills
• Financial management
• Knowledge and data management
• Market management
• Strategic management