Policy documents

The policy documents below set out the basis of the Department of Health's approach towards managing co-operation, competition and competition-related activity in the NHS.

The Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition

The Principles and Rules, issued by the Department of Health, provide guidance for system managers, commissioners and providers on the expected behaviours and rules governing cooperation and competition, in the provision of NHS

Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition [135 KB]

Primary Care Trust Procurement Guide for Health Services

The procurement guide, issued by the Department of Health, supports NHS commissioners in deciding whether and how to procure health services through formal tendering and market testing.

Primary Care Trust Procurement Guide for Health Services [343 KB]

Code of Practice for the Promotion of NHS-funded services

The Code of Practice deals with issues around the promotion of NHS-funded services that fall outside the remit of other advertising codes.

Code of Practice for the Promotion of NHS-funded services [295 KB]

Department of Health NHS Monitor