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I wonder how many colleagues are aware of the OFT market studies into the viability of private primary health care?

This is a significant departure from the OFT's previous position (spelt out in policy paper OFT 443); the terms of the definition of what is and isn't a relevant market, and what is meant by a general interest and how this is different from an economic interest are now showing up.

I also wonder whether or not the Social Values Bill will mitigate against competitive process for GP or nurse led social enterprise. Competition law like the Enterprise Act 2002, makes it pretty clear what is and isn't concerted practice, just how the Commissioning Board will make sense of 2,3 and 4 provider clinical supply chains is anyone's guess.

Confused? We sure will be. especially if exemptions from competive process are sought by local authorities, (we must remember that services by one public authority are tyed to that of the others) under their s2 LGA 2000 wellbeing powers.

Third party provision of health and social care is not new, our collective understanding of how the market and competitive process will impact is.