The report, funded and published by Sodexo, lays out the theory and thinking about partnerships, including a clear, working definition, a practical step-by-step guide to forming successful partnerships and survey findings from 250 senior leaders from the NHS and private sector.
Chaired by Sir William Wells, former chairman of the NHS Appointments Commission and Commercial Advisory Board to the Department of Health, the panel has consulted the NHS and private sectors through a series of regional discussion events and a national survey to report on the why, what and how of strategic partnerships.
The national and economic situation means that the NHS is facing a significant reduction in funds. To survive these difficulties the NHS must change its patterns of care and culture.
The report ‘Partnerships for Healthy Outcomes: Making Partnerships Work Between the Public, Private and Third Sectors’ will be distributed to all NHS chief executives, key private sector organisations, think tanks and charities, to encourage all parties to embrace the concept of partnership and make sure all available skills and resources are utilised to modernise the NHS before it is too late.
Key findings and recommendations from the report include the belief that there are not enough partnerships between the NHS and external parties and that most relationships are transactional.
Despite that, 51% of the NHS respondents said they expected to have a greater number of external contracts in the next 12 months.
The report highlighted a lack of trust and knowledge about how each sector works: 37% of private sector respondents think that the NHS chief executive takes the final decision on high value contracts, while only 6% of NHS respondents think this person takes these decisions.
Simon Scrivens, managing director, Sodexo Healthcare, said: “Ultimately, patient outcomes will be improved if the NHS and the private sector can work together in partnership.
“Sodexo is committed to changing these relationships and we will use this report as a blueprint for the way we do business in the future.”
Download the report at: http://uk.sodexo.com/uken/solutions/on-site/healthcare/healthcare.asp