Successful Joint Working Requires Dedicated Planning

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 30 Oct 2009 - 15:00 PDT

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The Audit Commission has released a report which calls for NHS organisations and local councils to focus more on the outcomes rather than process of joint working. David Stout, director of the Primary Care Trust Network, responds to the report.

Commenting on the Audit Commission report, 'Means to an End: Joint Financing Across Health and Social Care', David Stout said:

"Councils and PCTs recognise the role they play in providing a more integrated model of health and social care as more care moves into community settings in the coming years.

"While the rational for joint working should always be with the view to creating improved patient services, it requires dedicating significant attention to planning in order to have minimum disruption to patients, staff and the public.

"The concept of joint working has many merits, but it is not without its challenges and will not suit all organisations. Where joint health and social care can be implemented successfully, it can be highly beneficial in providing a more streamlined, joined-up service.

"With financial pressures on public services increasing in the coming years both health and government organisations are increasingly considering the integration of services. This will require PCTs and councils focusing on what the benefits are to both patients and finances before undertaking any operation to integrate services."

Source
The NHS Confederation

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