Towards achieving interorganisational collaboration between health-care providers: a realist evidence synthesis

Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) is an organisation that focuses on involving patients and the public in healthcare research and decision-making processes.

In 2019, ECS became part of a team led by Birmingham University to conduct a research project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The aim of the project was to evaluate the use of inter-organizational cooperation to bring about improvements in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

As part of the research, ECS carried out a focus group and interviews that contributed the patient and public voice to the project that evaluated the use of inter-organisational co-operation to make improvements in the NHS. Fieldwork was disrupted by the pandemic which meant that the completion of the research was to some extent delayed, but the report has now been published by the NIHR and can be accessed here.

In response to the publication, our Research Manager, Deborah Faulks said, “the work for the NIHR project was a new experience for me, working on an academic led research project. We were approached by Dr Ross Millar, back in 2018, to be part of the University of Birmingham led bid with our role to provide the Patient and Public Involvement aspects of the project. We were able to commit to this due to our role as a Healthwatch provider which brings us into contact with members of the public accessing and using health services.

It was a privilege to be able to speak with people who have experienced using services at Hospital Trusts who have undergone mergers or collaborated in other ways with other NHS providers, and our participants provided a lot of food for thought to be considered alongside that of the professionals from the NHS who took part in the other parts of the research.

We are now looking at ways that the research can be applied to practice within the NHS and how to further share the findings for the benefit of those using and working in the NHS, starting with sharing the report with our Healthwatch networks.”

Our Managing Director, Elizabeth Learoyd said, “We’re thrilled to get a publication in an academic led research project, which focussed on bringing about improvements in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. This is proof of our ongoing commitment to ensure the voices of those who use public services are at the forefront of service design and delivery.”

ECS specialise in social research and consultations, local Healthwatch delivery, advocacy services, and community engagement for clients throughout England. We believe in putting the public at the heart of what we do. As an organisation committed to innovation and collaboration, we pride ourselves on our responsive and flexible approach. We offer excellent value and quality solutions, tailored to your requirements.

If you are a commissioner for an organisation that is looking for a provider of social research and consultations, local Healthwatch delivery, advocacy services, and community engagement, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact us https://www.weareecs.co.uk/contact-us, email contactus@weareecs.co.uk or call us on 0800 470 1518 for an initial chat.