Allen, Pauline, Turner, Simon, Bartlett, Will 
ORCID: 0000-0002-6775-4339, Pérotin, Virginie, Matchaya, Greenwell and Zamora, Bernarda
(2012)
Provider diversity in the English NHS: a study of recent developments in four local health economies.
Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 17 (Supple).
pp. 23-30.
ISSN 1355-8196
Abstract
To assess the impact of provider diversity on quality and innovation in the English NHS bymapping the extent of diverse provider activity and identifying the differences in performance between Third Sector Organisations (TSOs), for-profit private enterprises, and incumbent organizations within the NHS, and the factors that affect the entry and growth of new providers. Methods: Case studies of four local health economies. Data included: semi-structured interviews with 48 managerial and clinical staff from NHS organizations and providers from the private and third sector; some documentary evidence; a focus group with service users; and routine data from the Care Quality Commission and Companies House. Data collection was mainly between November 2008 and November 2009. Results: Involvement of diverse providers in the NHS is limited. Commissioners' local strategies influence degrees of diversity. Barriers to entry for TSOs include lack of economies of scale in the bidding process. Private providers have greater concern to improve patient pathways and patient experience, whereas TSOs deliver quality improvements by using a more holistic approach and a greater degree of community involvement. Entry of new providers drives NHS trusts to respond by making improvements. Information sharing diminishes as competition intensifies. Conclusions: There is scope to increase the participation of diverse providers in the NHS but caremust be taken not to damage public accountability, overall productivity, equity and NHS providers (especially acute hospitals, which are likely to remain in the NHS) in the process.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.rsmpress.com/ |
| Additional Information: | © 2012 The Royal Society of Medicine Press Ltd |
| Divisions: | European Institute |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Mar 2012 12:53 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Sep 2024 23:18 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/42643 |
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