Website of the Department of Health

Fitness for purpose database

The Fitness for Purpose web-based database is the final stage of the Fitness for Purpose review, which took place between May 2006 and March 2007. The database provides access to an overview of the data collected during the review, and allows comparisons against other PCTs and against national averages. The database also provides contact details of PCTs that have scored highly and who use best practice, so that their skills and knowledge can be shared.

The database has been designed for PCT and SHA commissioning teams to view, and access is via username and password only. For many PCTs, a long period of time has passed since the review took place, and therefore the results displayed should not be taken as an actual rating of a PCT’s current commissioning capability.  Many PCTs will have successfully improved their internal skills and processes since the assessment was completed.

The data contained in the database should be viewed as a 'snapshot' of a PCT’s commissioning capability as defined by the Fitness for Purpose review, and has been presented in this format to allow users to benchmark easily their own strengths and weaknesses against others. Comparisons could lead to PCTs grouping together to address shared gaps in capability, or lead to PCTs with capability gaps approaching those displaying best practice for support and advice.

The database is access restricted to PCTs and SHAs. It can be accessed at:

• Fitness for Purpose web based database (opens new window)