Nene Commissioning is a multi-award winning commissioning organisation established by GPs across Northamptonshire in order to commission new and improved local health services.

In the last two years we have won an Acorn Award of Excellence in Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) and were the National Association of Primary Care's Most Advanced PBC Consortium in 2009/10 and 2008/09.  We have been described by national health leaders as "outstanding" and "a source of inspiration and best practice for other PBC groups" and Andrew Lansley MP, the Secretary of State for Health said "Nene Commissioning is proof that GPs are ready and willing to lead reform in the NHS."

We cover most GP practices in the county excepting those in Corby. We work closely with NHS Northamptonshire and a number of other partner organisations and associate members.

We are also the lead organisation for the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Partnership which is looking at developing new models of long-term condition management to help patients remain independent for longer and have more choice in their end of life care. Our work on Integrated Care was also the recipient of an award from the National Association of Primary Care in November 2009 and described as "...a truly patient-centred initiative" and "...able to make resources work in the best interests of patients".

Our participating practices and the Board have defined the purpose of Nene Commissioning as ‘to improve the health of the practice populations it serves through GP leadership of change and investment’.  Our three objectives are to

1. Lead the redesign of services and clinical pathways within primary care and across the primary/secondary care interface to improve outcomes and experience for patients and clinical staff

2. Ensure services are as clinically and cost efficient as possible, and identify how and where savings should be re-invested.
 
3. Build on the strength of General Practice to develop a powerful unified voice for the development of services for patients, and work with partners to create a sustainable local health economy

Nene Commissioning is named after the River Nene, Northampton's most significant natural feature.  The River rises within the county and travels its length and has for hundreds of years been closely associated with Northamptonshire's industry and leisure activities.