Providers will therefore need to work out and be very clear on what exactly the role of the lead provider will be within the collaborative. Just because a provider is the “lead provider” does not necessarily mean it is in charge of the other providers with whom it sub-contracts. The overall purpose of the collaborative should be to work together and spend money in a way that provides the best outcome for patients. Therefore, in many collaboratives the lead provider is aligned equally with the other providers. This helps to create a more open and collaborative environment where all providers feel they can contribute and participate on an equal footing.
The collaborative must also consider carefully the interaction between, and separation of, the lead provider’s dual role as both provider and commissioner. For example, rather than reserving all commissioning decisions to the lead provider, it might be better if these are dealt with by the collaborative as a whole, or even by a separate team instructed by the collaborative.