Editor's Comment: ProCure21 - the big just getting bigger?

After a long period of inactivity, ProCure21 (P21) has finally lumbered into action once more. This week's announcement of 14 new schemes must be welcome news for the eight contractors who are in the framework - and about time too.

The workload has been so poor in the past few years that only eight of the initial 12 framework members now remain, the others finding it too expensive and too unrewarding. But those who have stuck with it have found things rather too quiet over the past 18 months, as hospital trusts have struggled to cope with budget restraints.

The flurry of new work may also help smaller contractors, many of whom will have been deeply worried by the news that P21 members could bid for NHS Trust work under £1m (CJ 23 May). With more major construction schemes being considered under P21 - including four new community hospitals - an upswing in work could just see framework members being too preoccupied to compete for the smaller stuff.

But should it have to come to such brinkmanship? With sustainability being bandied about in all sectors of business, surely the government and public services have a duty to adopt an approach that encompasses value for money and sustainable business?

There's increasing recognition that big isn't necessarily better when it comes to business. Yes, there are many advantages to big business, but there are also many advantages in using smaller, more specialist companies, many of whom have proven to be more customer-focused and sometimes better value than their bigger competitors.

The upswing in P21 work is great news for all. But government and public services need to seriously consider their approach. Compensating framework partners by offering them smaller contracts certainly isn't the way to go.

Emma Penny, editor, Contract Journal, 30 May 2007, (p2)