Each county’s population has different needs. Commissioning is the process through which the health needs of a population are worked out and then met by NHS funded care.
To do this, primary care trusts (PCTs) need to understand health trends and get the best health services for the population from a range of sources. PCTs aim to make sure the services provided are of high quality and value for money. It also includes helping people stay healthy as well as providing care when they are ill.