An investment of over £1bn is made each year in health-related education and training in London. This investment is managed by the Education Commissioning Team within the People and Organisational Development Directorate at NHS London.

In order for NHS London to commission world class education, it is essential that our processes, practices and the relationships with our education and training providers are best in class. This is our ambition.

The transformation of the education commissioning system builds on best practice in commissioning from across the health economy (including world class commissioning competencies) and also takes account of wider healthcare system changes. From late 2008, NHS London has been engaged in a programme of work to drive forward improvements to the education commissioning system.

It focused on the following elements:

1. Planning
2. Contracting
3. Contract Performance Management and Provider Development
4. Market Development

The diagram below aims to illustrate the framework for Education Commissioning and Workforce Planning that NHS London is seeking to establish. Each part of the framework is described in detail to explain: the objectives for that part of the commissioning system; the improvements made to date; and the future changes being planned. Underpinning this new education commissioning framework are the following design principles:

• Achieve value for money for the NHS in London through sound investment decisions and their administration Ensure the Healthcare Education Market is responsibly created, developed and managed (risk management)
• Ensure a clinically relevant educational experience that is aligned to service needs
• Deliver the highest quality of education that enables a world class workforce to improve patient outcomes
• Strive for continuous improvement and innovation
• Ensure transparency and availability of information in the system to enable choice
• Deliver benefits in excess of assessed impacts in the system
• Define roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders and develop capacity and capability to deliver
• Recognise and respect diversity in Education Commissioning