In 1998, the Government commissioned Sir John Egan to review the construction industry, and its relationships with the public sector. His report 'Rethinking Construction' was accepted by the Government. Alan Milburn, then Chief Secretary to the Treasury, launched the government response, 'Achieving Excellence', and all the ministers signed up to delivering it. Achieving Excellence focuses on improving the public sector as a client, and on improving the efficiency of the construction industry.

The Government accepted Egan's recommendations, including that of introducing 'partnering frameworks' across it’s departments. NHS ProCure21 is the partnering framework set up for the Department of Health and the NHS.

In May 2000, Ministers launched 'Sold on Health', jointly with Her Majesty's Treasury and the Public Services Productivity Panel. The document set out a range of programmes to improve the NHS's planning, procurement, operation and eventual disposal of it's estate. These include NHS ProCure21 as a direct response to 'Achieving Excellence'.

ProCure21 launched in the pilot regions in June 2002 but was rolled out nationally in September 2003. The framework has recently been extended until September 2010. Work is now beginning to explore options for ProCure21 beyond that date. Any news will be placed on this website first.