In 2008/09 SPF commissioned the Involvement and Participation Association (IPA) to conduct a full review of partnership working in the NHS, including arrangements nationally, regionally and locally.
In 2009/10 we commissioned ACAS to conduct a stock take of the national social partnership forum.
SPF project groups are time limited where possible, if projects are longer term the groups are reviewed every 6 – 12 months using their terms of reference to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Both reviews picked up a number of positives about the current national partnership arrangements including:
- Support from senior colleagues at the highest levels from all partners
- Effective and efficient secretariat and project management
- Strategic issues dealt with
- A move over time from inception and confidence building to well formed relationships and dealing with difficult issues
- Delivery of a number of projects over the past three years, very outcome focused.
In addition to identifying what has worked well and can be built on, both reviews made recommendations for improving the forum in terms of practical arrangements, strategy, relationships etc., and the forum has put plans in place to address these. We have also used the review process to set strategic direction for the SPF over the last 2-3 years.
The full review reports have been archived.