The NAO studied the national picture through two large surveys. One was sent to the private sector bidders who had competed for LIFT schemes; the other was sent to Project Directors from the public sector side. The NAO consulted frequently with the Department of Health and Partnerships for Health, and used these two bodies to provide details of potential interviewees.
The NAO also carried out case studies of the six LIFT schemes that had been signed at this stage of their fieldwork. They also carried out in-depth interviews with "key stakeholders", including Project Directors, private sector bidders, clinicians, Primary Care Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities and local authorities.
A survey was sent to Local Pharmaceutical Committees in each of the six case study areas following a request by the National Pharmaceutical Association, which had expressed concerns that pharmacists felt they had not been fully included in the LIFT process.
Evaluation of the financial models of the six case studies was provided by Operis, a management consultancy.