JOINT FUTURE AGENDA: SHORT LIFE WORKING GROUP ON JOINT PREMISES DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY AND COMMUNITY CARE: FINAL REPORT
PART 5 - SUPPORTING WIDER APPLICATION OF INITIATIVES
12. Further Development - Assistance and Support
12.1 We have considered the means by which the wider application of joint premises activity should be encouraged. Recognising the aspirational nature of some our recommendations, we have sought to assist local partnerships in practical terms by providing some sample documentation/information alongside our identification of promising practice. Favouring a tool-kit approach, we have supported the development of a generic tool-kit to provide sample documentation to Local Partners.
12.2 The use of such a tool-kit is intended to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills between practitioners with sufficient speed to sustain the anticipated growth in joint services on a national scale envisaged under the Joint Future agenda.
12.3 We have commissioned the East Ayrshire Partners to provide a practical tool-kit of materials containing a number of elements as below:
Overarching Partnership Working Framework
12.4 A template to assist the development of partnership working arrangements on joint premises initiatives. This will include an outline Development Agreement thus ensuring clarity for all partners at the outset of the project.
Specific Joint Premises Project Arrangements
12.5 A check -list of issues which should be considered and reflected in project specific agreements, dependent upon the individual circumstances of each partnership project.
Tender/Procurement Documentation
12.6 A template of tender documentation which will meet the requirements of both local authorities and the NHS for the procurement of design services and construction of joint premises. It will include a checklist identifying potential procurement issues, which partner organisations will require to be considered during the tendering process. Also included will be a template of key policies, procedures etc for commissioning staff and a checklist to ensure appropriate joint working from the outset.
Stakeholder Consultation Arrangements
12.7 Information on appropriate mechanisms to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders, including the communities and staff involved in joint premises initiatives.
Drivers and Barriers to Partnership Working
12.8 A case study of joint premises commissioned in East Ayrshire carried out in conjunction with the Office for Public Management to identify the key requirements of effective partnership working and potential barriers to the success of joint premises initiatives.
The tool-kit will be available from August 2003 on the Joint Future Unit Website.