Developing Relational Commissioning #2 – Paradigm Shift = Facilitator, Enabler or Connector
Thinking differently about commissioning Kings Fund (2022)
TBAC summary (print).pdf (kingsfund.org.uk)
A new ethos of commissioning.
New ideas around how commissioners can add value to local systems:
- bringing stakeholders together to make decisions;
- fostering close operational partnership between commissioners and providers;
- simplifying financial arrangements;
- and offering improvement support to providers.
Different language to describe the role, for example, being a ‘facilitator’, ‘enabler’ or ‘connector’. The ideas add up to a paradigm shift in thinking about their role and how to drive improvement in health and care services.
Changing approach to commissioning
| From – Now | To – New |
| Care focus | Child/children focus |
| Provider focus | System focus |
| Contract enforcer | System enabler |
| Transactions | Relationships and behaviours |
| Decision maker | Convenor for collective decision making |
| High bureaucracy low cost | Low bureaucracy high trust |
| Monitoring provider performance | Monitoring system performance and improvement support |
| Following national guidance | Developing local solutions |
