Britain's coalition government has revealed that it expects professionals from across the country's various healthcare sectors to play a role in the commissioning process, according to a new report.

Ahead of a public consultation on the issue, the Department of Health's (DH's) recently-published Commissioning for Patients document emphasised the importance of a multi-professional approach to ordering medications and other services.

"Some of the most successful current examples of clinical commissioning have come when practice-based commissioning groups have engaged other health and care professionals in this way," the publication stated.

However, the DH also made clear that the government is unlikely to lay down set processes for the involvement of industries such as community pharmacy, but will discuss the matter with sector leaders to encourage cooperation.

Earlier this month, NPA chairman Ian Facer called on health secretary Andrew Lansley to allow pharmacists to shoulder some of the commissioning burden as part of reforms outlined in the recent white paper. 

© Adfero Ltd