John Unsworth and Sue Spencer describe the skills needed by community nurses involved in health commissioning and the use of role play within the learning environment.

John Unsworth MSc, BSc(Hons), BA, RGN, PGCE is a Practice Development Nurse, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust.
Sue Spencer MSc, BA, RGN, PGCE is Course Leader MSc Health Sciences (Community Health), Senior Lecturer, University of Northumbria at Newcastle.

Article accepted for publication September 1999.