ABSTRACT
Organisations commissioning or ‘purchasing’ healthcare services on behalf of patients hold a central position within the NHS. This function is currently performed on behalf of geographically defi ned populations by organisations known as Primary Care Trusts. A number of other commissioning bodies are, however, also being developed. These include GP practices commissioning services for the general population, as well as bodies commissioning services for vulnerable populations, such as care trusts commissioning services for the elderly and people with mental health problems, and children’s trusts commissioning services for children.
