Guidance: Mutuals in health: Pathfinder Programme

Guidance: Mutuals in health: Pathfinder Programme Chris Ham, Chief Executive of the King’s Fund, recently published an independent review of staff engagement and empowerment in the NHS. The review recommended that government support a pathfinder programme to help NHS trusts and foundation trusts explore the benefits of the mutual model.

In response to the review’s recommendation, Department of Health and Cabinet Office launched a joint initiative on 15 July 2014 to support health and care organisations explore the potential advantages of mutualising their services. The Pathfinder Programme is designed to support a small number of pioneering trusts, either individually or in partnership. It is open to all foundation trusts and NHS trusts.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are open until 4 September 2014. To participate, send your expression of interest form to mutualsinhealth@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk.

Drawing on a £1 million fund, trusts participating in the programme will have technical, legal and consultancy support to help them:

• understand what mutualisation means for them
• find solutions to practical barriers to becoming mutual organisations

The details of this support will be developed in partnership with each trust.

If you have any questions about the Pathfinder Programme, contact: mutualsinhealth@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk. Department of Health