Over 100 delegates attended the SPF session at the conference which heard presentations on partnership working regionally in the North West and locally from Aintree University Hospitals.
Josie Irwin opened the session by outlining how SPF supports the NHS both regionally and locally to achieve its goals now and in the future through working in partnership and explained how this work is split into four priority areas:
- supporting staff through change and transfer
- the workforce implications of QIPP
- staff morale and engagement
- strengthening partnership working.
Case studies from NHS organisations demonstrating partnership work categorised under these priority areas are available here.
The session heard how partnership working at national, regional and local levels can deliver positive benefits, especially at a time when the NHS is facing tough decisions.
Partnership working: the regional perspective
Jon Lenney (pictured left), Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust spoke about his experience working on the North West regional SPF.
His presentation focused on a virtual organisation being developed called 'The North West Partnership Foundation' which aimed to continue the good work of the regional SPF through:
- promoting and participating in research
- be a resource for evidence
- commission training to support partnership working
- build capacity and capability.
Jon, along with his staff side colleague Paul Foley, Regional organiser from Unison acknowledged there were likely to be difficult times ahead and stressed the importance of employers and staff side recognising and respecting each other’s separate agendas whilst continuing to work together for mutual benefit. Both agreed that their role was to support partnership working at local level, not to impose it and that by working together to develop good relationships at all levels within individual trusts we would have a good foundation to build on moving forward.
A local perspective from Aintree University Hospitals
Peter Ballard, Staff side chair and Debbie Fryer, Director of human resources & organisational development at Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (pictured left) then spoke about the trust’s work embedding partnership working at shop floor level. This was one of 18 projects awarded support by the SPF Partnership Fund.
Four pilot areas were identified which they felt would benefit from this approach. Workshops were held and individual interviews for key players and coaching for partnership champions all helped to embed the partnership way of working and to deliver real benefits:
- Managers and staff worked together to avoid redundancies of permanent staff following a major reorganisation of theatre arrangements
- A smooth transition to bring domestic services in-house helped Aintree achieve a vast reduction in infection levels
- Staff were involved early in the change process resulting from the closure of Walton Hospital. At the same time they were consulted on the future design of patient pathways which has lead to improved patient care.
One of the key lessons from the Aintree project was that staff need to be informed and empowered but with this they also need to take responsibility. They should be able to contribute ideas and feel able to challenge constructively, where they feel necessary. Managers need to accept this way of working and be open and honest with staff. Through these actions, Aintree found that staff are not part of the problem, but part of the solution.
New models of partnership working going forward
Partnerships regionally and locally will need to change with the new architecture in order to continue to deliver high quality care in high quality workplaces. We believe this will only be achieved through considering future models of partnership, building relationships and strengthening the forums now.
This may involve looking at current membership across sectors, organisational and geographical boundaries or many other combinations of factors for consideration. There is no ‘one size fits all’ model but the SPF are beginning work to consolidate transferable good practice and share learning across the NHS as new models emerge.
SPF Event
The SPF is bringing partners together in an event on 29 March 2011 to discuss emerging models of social partnership working in the NHS in 2011 and will be sharing examples through this area of the website.
If you are developing new models of social partnership working in your organisation we would be very interested in hearing from you. In the first instance please contact us via webenquiries@socialpartnershipforum.org