We think that it is important to be clear about how we expect commissioning to be undertaken in the North West. We want commissioning to be a constructive activity which helps to foster good, long-term relationships with providers. We also want it to help ensure that our patients, service users and carers in the North West have an opportunity to influence services. We want to be fair and consistent in our approach. We are therefore proposing the following principles to guide those working to commission health and wellbeing services in the North West:

1. Put the needs of patients, service users and carers first and ensure they are engaged in commissioning activities.
2. Spend money wisely to secure effective and efficient services that are targeted to meet the needs of, and deliver improved outcomes for, patients, service users and carers in the North West.
3. Look for opportunities to invest in preventive and community services, and find ways of communicating with individuals and the public to deliver a better understanding of self care, disease prevention and how to stay well.
4. Commission evidence-based interventions and services that will increase life expectancy and reduce health inequalities.
5. Commission collaboratively with our partner commissioning agencies where it is appropriate.
6. Use open and transparent processes that are designed to build and maintain good long-term relationships with service providers, to enable effective integrated care pathways.
7. Have commissioning strategies which are based on the needs of the population, knowledge of the market, and the aims of national guidance and policy.
8. Develop services based on the priorities identified in the commissioning strategies.
9. Continuously evaluate services to improve the outcomes they achieve.
10. Comply with EU and UK procurement and contracting law, and adhere to Councils’ and NHS commissioning regulations.
11. Ensure that commissioners have the right skills to undertake the work and identify opportunities for joint training and development.

These principles are important to us, and we would like those working on the commissioning of health and wellbeing services to use them as the basis of their work. Commissioning is most effective when partners work to a common set of principles, therefore we are proposing that all commissioners in the North West adopt and endorse these principles.

Statement of backing and endorsement

As Directors, Chief Executives and Chairs of organisations that serve the people of the North West, we welcome the development of this Roadmap and the support it offers to promote more effective commissioning. We endorse the principles within the Roadmap and will expect our organisations to apply them. We recommend that colleagues use them to inform their commissioning activities.