Developing health organisations

Find out about

the leadership and management development programmes we are offering in the near future.

To help organisations respond to the changing policy climate and service culture, we support both commissioners and providers as they develop partnership working and robust commissioning processes. We have also published a number of useful papers and resources.

Partnership working

We have supported a wide range of health and social care organisations in developing strategic collaborations.

We help individual organisations, partnerships, alliances and networks to improve performance by strengthening governance arrangements and focusing on quality improvement. We have worked with a wide range of PCTs in developing strategic alliances and designing effective management and governance arrangements in preparation for mergers and the reconfiguration of PCTs. See, in particular, our governance page

This work has included developing integrated models of commissioning and providing services, as well as building networks, forging strategic alliances and developing holistic, multi-agency approaches to service management and delivery.

OPM contact: Judith Smyth, Principal, Public Governance
email Judith

Examples

Ayrshire & Arran PCT: Partnership working handbook We were commissioned to explore what factors critically supported and hindered partnership working. The aim of the study was to: provide some external validation of what took place in East Ayrshire; to test out and build upon the recommendations of the Joint Futures Unit working group for joint community care premises; and to produce guidance on developing effective partnerships to support joint premises development elsewhere in Scotland. Download the 'Perfect Partners' handbook
Or visit the Scottish Executive website (opens new window)

Various PCTs: Strategic Alliances OPM has supported a number of PCTs in England as they develop strategic alliances with other bodies. We helped PCT boards and executive committees understand their respective strengths and weaknesses as well as their hopes and fears about future services.

Various PCTs: Developing Successful PCTs An integrated process to develop comprehensive service and managerial configurations required by the establishment of new PCTs. We undertook this iterative review for a multi-agency steering group led by a health authority. Large summit meetings of the health community and smaller resolution groups were also used to address specific clinical and support services.

Commissioning

We are working with a large number of children and young people's strategic partnerships, enabling them to meet the requirements for children's trust arrangements and to develop effective approaches to integrated commissioning and performance management. See also our Change for Children pages

We have also developed helpful approaches for governor development in foundation trusts and induction materials for people new to the NHS. See also our Developing leaders and managers page

Commissioning is driving current health reform. We are experienced in helping commissioners make sense of the policies that require a shift away from current ways of working. SHAs, PCTs and practitioners need to develop strategic, coherent responses to policy drivers, in particular, devolved budget-holding. We use innovative techniques – for example, behavioural simulations – to help organisations explore the opportunities and risks presented by: practice-based commissioning; changes in commissioning structures; and the choice agenda.

OPM contact: Judith Smyth, Principal, Public Governance
email Judith

Examples

Thames Valley SHA: Practice Based Commissioning provision of support to PCTs and GP practices in implementing practice based commissioning

Kent & Medway SHA: Review of the effectiveness and future functions of the CEO network OPM was invited to review current ways of working for the CEO forum and make recommendations for the future. Recommendations were made on the future function and ways of working including membership and the frequency, style and content of meetings. The recommendations helped the SHA and the network of CEOs to improve their strategic focus.

Resources

image: netborough, our booklet on integrated service networks

Netborough is our briefing paper on integrated service networks to serve the needs of older people and people with learning disabilities. Read more about Netborough. | Download Netborough as a PDF
You can also buy a printed copy of Netborough.

Integrating health and social care This publication examines the practical implications of achieving greater integration between health and social care services. You can buy a copy of Integrating Health and Social Care from our bookstore.

Perfect Partners: Capturing the essence of successful partnership working in East Ayrshire

Networks: Resolving the collateral issues associated with managed clinical networks

The Joint Appointments Guide

Learning from the NHS in change

For more information about our work with health and social care organisations, please contact Paul Tarplett, Director, t: 020 7239 7800 email Paul