Question from Community Care: The Department of Health wants a radical shake-up of commissioning health and social care services. Barbara Allen and Elizabeth Wade assess the potential of its new framework

The Department of Health wants a radical shake-up of commissioning health and social care services. Barbara Allen and Elizabeth Wade assess the potential of its new framework

* Is the joint strategic needs assessment a realistic and effective way to obtain co-operation on cross-boundary commissioning?

* How can commissioners navigate and effectively participate in the complex relationships they are being required to build?

* Should commissioning be ‘professionalised’ with appropriate associational support and specific qualifications or is it a more generalist role that requires generic training and skills?

GUIDE TIME FOR DISCUSSION: 20 minutes per question