PCT Commissioning: how community nurse involvement can be encouraged.

Commissioning is the process by which PCTs identify the health needs of their population and make prioritized decisions to secure care to meet those needs within available resources. It includes longer term strategic planning, medium term planning (three year Local delivery Plans) and the shorter term agreement and performance management of service level agreements. The process should involve the public, engage clinicians, and be conducted on a whole system basis, informed by health equity audits, and carried through with the full participation of other stakeholders including NHS Trusts, local authority(s) and the voluntary sector (NHS Modernization Agency, 2004).