Our research project work with the University of Birmingham

A project looking at the effectiveness and impact of different partnering arrangements

Engaging Communities Solutions has a strong track record of working in partnership with, and undertaking research for, academic institutions, focusing on health and social care. We are delighted, therefore, to announce that we are currently working with the University of Birmingham on a research project titled:

‘Towards a framework for partnering as an intervention for improvement: lessons for NHS providers from a realist synthesis of theoretical, empirical and stakeholder evidence.’

This project is looking at the effectiveness and impact of different partnering arrangements, including mergers of trusts to provider networks in primary care settings.

Deborah Faulks- ECS Research and Insight Manager confirmed:

“We were approached by Dr Ross Millar from the University in the summer of 2018 as he was writing a bid to submit to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). His initial submission had been reviewed by the NIHR, but they had requested that there should be patient and public involvement in the project too. He was advised that he should contact ECS.”

The Role of Engaging Communities Solutions in the project

Deborah continues:

“ECS sits on the project team and our role is to provide input around patient and public experience. As the project progresses, we work with Dr Millar to recruit patients and the public to take part in interviews and focus groups and then undertake the fieldwork asking them about their experiences of using services where partnering has taken place between NHS providers.”

The project is due to run until March 2021 and we are looking forward to reporting back on how our contribution has helped gather the feedback from patients and the wider public to help share and inform future service design and delivery.