Social Enterprises and the NHS - Unison

Appendix one
Changing patterns of Ownership and
Accountabilitty in the NHS
Interview schedule for national stakeholders
• This study is concerned with accountability and
ownership in the NHS.
• We are focusing on the use of social enterprises in
primary care – their potential and limits.
• We are interviewing national policy makers and
studying some local examples.
• Interviews will be recorded, if permission is granted.
• All information will be non-attributable.
1 Question one is in two parts and is concerned
with how social enterprises are understood and
defined.
What do you understand by the term ‘social enterprises’?
What do you consider to be their defining or key
characteristics?
Prompts:
• Ownership and involvement by
employees/users/clients?
• Lack of shareholders?
• Social objectives?
• Use of surpluses for community benefit?
What proportion of surpluses would need to be
used for community benefit?
How should surpluses be assessed in relation to
salaries and other benefits?
• Any other dimensions considered important?
2 Question two concerns policy and other drivers
for increased interest in social enterprises in
health.
What do you consider the main drivers for the increased
interest in the role of social enterprises in delivering
health care and health improvement?
Prompts:
• Public sector reform?
• Reconfiguration of services?
• Innovation?
• Policies on competition and diversity?
• Third sector involvement?
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3 Question three concerns the potential of social
enterprises to soften market-driven reform and
offer a ‘third way’ between traditional public
service providers on the one hand and commercial
providers on the other.
It has been claimed that social enterprises can offer a
potential ‘third way’ between publicly provided services
and the private sector within the health field. Do you
agree with this view?
4 Question four explores models of social
enterprise within health.
4.1 Are there any examples of social enterprises in the
health field that you would like to highlight?
4.2 Why have you chosen these examples?
4.3 Are there any models of social enterprise you think
ought to be promoted in primary care? Are there models
which you consider inappropriate for expansion?
Prompts:
• NHS Foundation Trust expansion to include primary
care?
• PCT wide models?
• Community Interest Companies?
• Community NHS Foundation Trust status?
• Other?
4.4 Both NHS Foundation Trusts and BUPA have been
described as social enterprises. Would you agree with
this description?
5 Question five considers the development impact
of social enterprises in the health field.
5.1 Do you consider that the encouragement of social
enterprises in health and health care raises specific
issues?
Prompts:
• Terms and conditions of staff (benefits and
disbenefits)?
• Partnership issues?
• Sharing good practice in service delivery within a
competitive environment?
• Sustainability issues?
• Management of financial risk?
• Other?
5.2 Which factors are likely to promote the development
of social enterprise within the health field over the next
few years?