Judith Smith: Appraising the evidence on commissioning

In this introduction to the 'Beyond commissioning' panel discussion recorded at the Annual Health Strategy Summit 2011, Dr Judith Smith, Director of Policy at the Nuffield Trust, reflects on the impact of commissioning in the NHS, with research evidence suggesting that commissioning has struggled to make a significant or strategic impact on secondary care.

Judith reflects on what might be needed to ensure GP commissioners can rise to the efficiency challenges in the next few years in the context of financial constraints, difficulties in shifting funding towards prevention and community-based care, and another major reorganisation of NHS commissioning.

Videos of part one: GP commissioning: Will it deliver change? and part two: GP commissioning: Predictions for the future of the panel discussion which followed Judith's presentation, are also available.