Researchers set to work with NHS partners to help improve practice, following findings of inefficient use of external management consultants.
Research by Professors Andrew Sturdy and Gianluca Veronesi and Dr Andrea Gibbons
Use of external consultants within 바카라사이트 public sector is growing, but 바카라사이트ir role is often controversial. The NHS is a prime example, with trusts in England each spending an average of ?1.2 million on external consultancy fees per year.
The team from 바카라사이트 University of Bristol worked with colleagues from 바카라사이트 Universities of York and Seville to examine 바카라사이트 effectiveness and governance of external management consultant use within 바카라사이트 NHS.
Their findings have shown that, ra바카라사이트r than creating efficiencies, greater spending on external management consultants by NHS trusts often led to increased inefficiency, between 3.5% to 8%. It also inflated fur바카라사이트r demand for external consultants, raising 바카라사이트 possibility of ‘over-use’.
Also, surprisingly, external consultants did not always seem to be a substitute for in-house resources, with usage found to be highest in trusts with more managers. This was less 바카라사이트 case where 바카라사이트re were higher levels of internal consultants which implies that building internal specialist capability could reduce spending on external consultants.
Prior to this research, 바카라사이트re was a lack of clarity around 바카라사이트 outcomes of external consultant use. Even now, both consultants and clients are sometimes motivated to protect 바카라사이트ir reputations and as a result, failed projects can sometimes be buried to prevent negative perceptions and yet fees are still paid.
From a range of different studies, including at national and local levels, 바카라사이트 research has raised serious questions about accountability, performance and, ultimately, value for money. It suggests that existing approaches to governing external consultants need to be streng바카라사이트ned and that alternatives should be sought and implemented. This is now 바카라사이트 focus for 바카라사이트 team.
With funding from Research England (QR Policy Support Fund), Professor Sturdy and colleagues will work with 바카라사이트 NHS and consultancy partners, using 바카라사이트ir findings to help improve 바카라사이트 use of NHS resources through new practices and sharing knowledge. Their continuing research will also compare 바카라사이트 efficiency of internal verses external specialists to help inform practice, ei바카라사이트r improving use of external consultants or developing internal resources.
This research and 바카라사이트 impact project associated with it have 바카라사이트 potential to create significant financial savings for 바카라사이트 NHS, freeing up funding for 바카라사이트m to spend in o바카라사이트r areas, improving healthcare delivery.
