It is widely recognised that if NHS reforms are to succeed, the commissioning function of primary care trusts must be strengthened. Commissioned by the Health Policy Forum and produced by the King’s Fund and the Health Services Management Centre, this paper seeks to identify the essential elements of effective commissioning.

• Making it Happen
  
• Windmill 2007: The future of health care reforms in England
  
• Practice-based Commissioning: From good idea to effective practice