Provider collaboratives: making a difference for patients and communities

Providers across the country have been pushing ahead with plans to work together for some time now, collaborating with each other in the acute, mental health, community and ambulance sectors and with partners both locally at place and across systems. But how have they been progressing, what challenges have they faced and what opportunities lie ahead in the years to come? NHS Confederation and NHS Providers published the first survey on provider collaborative progress – you can read it here. It is a good barometer of the state of the provider collaborative scene and will be of interest to Integrated Care Boards and providers alike.

Interestingly 70% of provider collaboratives surveyed “still consider themselves in the early stages of development”and in the last 12 months have been focused on working on governance arrangements, leadership models and decision-making processes. What is encouraging to read is that “collaboratives are already working to make a difference” for their local populations and communities they serve. This view was echoed by delegates attending the recent Manchester ICS Delivery Forum hosted by Public Policy Projects. But one of the key messages from those involved in provider collaboratives is that establishing meaningful partnerships, building trust and agreeing shared priorities takes time, particularly in the context of the challenges facing the wider health and care system.

Supporting provider collaboratives: FAQs to help you

Whether you are an established provider collaborative or in the early stages of development our team of health and care lawyers can help you with designing your objectives and governance models. Several elements are key, but our FAQs identify what the most important considerations are when developing a provider collaborative.

Do get in touch with Rhian Vandrill and Charlotte Lewis – they'd love to hear from you.