Since CCGs came into being, it has become more necessary for GPs to get involved with business development aspects of primary care, such as commissioning, bid writing, and procuring services. General practice is very much patient-centred, so primary care clinicians will have a good understanding of their patients’ needs, and this knowledge is invaluable when designing and developing effective clinical services.
However, when bidding for contracts, GPs are often competing with private providers (who have dedicated resources for writing bids), and presenting information to non-clinical decision makers (who award contracts based on whether a proposal meets a specific set of criteria).
In our latest featured article, Dr Satpal Shekhawat discusses why bid writing is challenging for GPs, and provides useful tips for writing a successful bid, including developing a shared vision, defining the workforce strategy, and keeping patients at the centre of any new service design.