The DH has previously said that CCGs will not need to competitively tender for contracts under the any qualified provider policy.

But consultancy firm Barony Consulting said new proposals for the EU Public Procurement Directive that were ‘sneaked out’ before Christmas will change this.

It said that if the plans are passed CCGs will have to perform full procurements on all services under any qualified provider.

GPC deputy chairman Richard Vautrey said it would be a ‘bureaucratic nightmare’ if the plans came to fruition.

He said: ‘It would be hugely expensive and wasteful for the NHS. It will take up a lot of time, not just for commissioners but also providers.

‘If small practice were expected to do this on a regular basis they would ultimately lose out to larger providers that have industrial scale departments to do the bidding. The larger companies would win the contracts but they don’t necessarily deliver the goods.’

But a DH spokeswoman said the Directive will not change procurement requirements on the NHS.

She said: 'Aside from enabling patients to choose the best providers for their needs, a key benefit for PCTs and CCGs of commissioning services on an any qualified provider basis is that they willl not need to undertake competitive tendering, as long as they work within DH guidance. The Directive won't change this.'