Latest blogs on procurement law

For the two hundred odd CCGs which will be formally established on 1 April 2013, the expectations are high. The Government wants to see improved patient outcomes, reduced health inequalities and the best results possible on a whole-population basis.

In what were presented as emergency measures the Board looks set to delay some management cuts until 2013-14 and may also recruit interim staff due to delays in the transition to new NHS structures.

Clinical commissioners with challenged local providers (or those on the way to being challenged) will be interested in the new document from The King's Fund.

Last month we learnt that notwithstanding that statutory functions remain with SHAs and PCTs until April 2013, 'operational responsibility' would be stripped from PCT and SHA leaders from 1 October 2012.

On 14 September 2012, the NHS Commissioning Board published a set of procurement briefings for CCGs that summarise the key elements of legislation and guidance currently governing NHS procurement of clinical services.

The DH announced the full list of ministerial portfolios this week after the cabinet reshuffle earlier this month which saw Andrew Lansley replaced as health secretary by Jeremy Hunt.

The DH revealed to GPonline a list of 39 services that it plans to allow any qualified provider (AQP) to deliver through PCTS from this autumn and prior to England's 212 CCGs take on their commissioning duties in April 2013.

The 'interim advice' provides additional information in particular to emerging CCGs which will need to demonstrate as part of authorisation that they have appropriate systems in place for discharging their responsibilities in respect of safeguarding.

Last month the NHSCB named the CSUs which will be approved to offer business intelligence healthcare (clinical) procurement and business support services - three of the four scale services.