Expansion within a single STP rather than across multiple STPs is considered to be more realistic, as aligning priorities and oversight becomes more complex with distance.
Agreeing strategies which can support networked care growth, such as a workforce strategy which shares staff across a system, is likely to be easier with STP partners.
Networked care providers need to understand STP system priorities and ensure that any expansion benefits the wider system as well as its own organisation.
There is a need for shared understanding about the value of the single specialty networked care model to enable adoption within and across health systems. Evidencing a network’s added value, measuring quality and the costs of both existing provision and after implementation of a network, are therefore critical to enabling expansion.
Considerations:
- STPs are likely to encourage networked solutions within local health and care systems which could sustain single specialties at smaller DGHs.
- Numeric expansion of existing networks can be delivered at pace in mature STPs.
- Networked care providers need to align their priorities with those of an STP when expanding.
- System partners need to have the same understanding of the value that networks can offer a system for expansion to be successful.
- Evidencing the benefits of networked care and measuring the impact is key in gaining support from system partners.
