Using EDS to help develop partnership Josie Irwin Head of Employment Relations 11 th July 2011

“Chief executives, managers and staff representatives who have adopted and implemented partnership approaches believe the business case for partnership is unanswerable. With partnership, all parts of an organisation can come together to meet challenges, and pull together to meet agreed goals.” From the SPF website

Challenges to partnership working NHS strategic level NHS reform in England - loss of SHAs What happens to leadership? Plurality of provision Attitude to TUs of social enterprises/private sector/ Consortia HR capacity of new providers Capacity of TUs to build new relationships Trust level Change, uncertainty, capacity NHS and independent sector Industrial relations climate Instability and disengagement Loss of experience

Helps strengthen partnership because EDS; Applies to all NHS organisations including commissioning consortia Also relevant for independent sector organisations Helps organisations meet Equality Act/operating framework Helps them meet CQC registration requirements Ensures intelligence about equality hotspots – employment or service delivery are properly discussed Requires equality priorities to reflect and address the hotspots Equality priorities remain in place for 4 years Engaged and involved staff is an important outcome measure Excellence requires evidence of effective partnership