Public-private partnerships and efficiency in public procurement of primary healthcare infrastructure: a qualitative research in the NHS UK

Mudyarabikwa, Oliver and Regmi, Krishna (2016) Public-private partnerships and efficiency in public procurement of primary healthcare infrastructure: a qualitative research in the NHS UK. Journal of Public Health, 24 (2). pp. 91-100. ISSN 2198-1833

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Abstract

Aim
There is growing interest in the contribution of public-private partnerships (PPPs) bridging the shortage of financial resources and management expertise in developing public healthcare infrastructure. However, few studies have evidenced PPPs’ ability in increasing efficiency in public procurement of primary healthcare infrastructure. The aim of this study was to assess to what extent PPPs would increase efficiency in public procurement of primary healthcare facilities.

Subject and methods
A qualitative analysis, adopting a realistic research evaluation method, used data collected from a purposive sample of public (n = 23) and private sector staff (n = 2) directly involved in the UK National Health Service Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT).

Results
We find a positive association of LIFT helping to bridge public sector capital shortages for developing primary care surgeries. LIFT is negatively associated with inefficient procurement because it borrows finance from private banks, leaving public agencies paying high interest rates. The study shows that some contextual factors and mechanisms in LIFT play a major part in obstructing public staff from increasing procurement efficiency.

Conclusion
PPP’s ability to increase efficiency may be determined by contextual factors and mechanisms that restrict discretion over critical decisions by frontline public sector staff. Developing their capacity in monitoring PPP activities may make partnerships more efficient.

Item Type: Article
Identifier: 10.1007/s10389-015-0701-8
Keywords: Efficiency, Public-private partnerships, Primary care buildings, LIFT, NHS, UK
Subjects: Medicine and health
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Oliver Mudyarabikwa
Date Deposited: 04 Aug 2021 13:51
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2024 16:06
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/8151

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