The NHS Principles and Rules of Cooperation and Competition
The Principles and Rules of Cooperation and Competition (PRCC), published July 2010, form part of the Operating Framework in establishing the system rules governing cooperation and competition in the commissioning and provision of NHS services in England. The ten principles include:
“Principle 4: Cooperation and agreements – Commissioners and providers must cooperate to improve services and deliver seamless and sustainable care to patients.”
The guide states “Cooperation is an essential behaviour amongst commissioners and providers of NHS-funded services to share best practice and maintain seamless and sustainable care” with the critical caveat “commissioners and providers should not reach agreements which restrict choice and competition if they operate against patients’ and taxpayers’ interests.”