Running Networks
NHS Networks is available to help network co-ordinators and administrators.
On this page you will find examples of good practice from previous and current networks. Although networks, by their nature, vary enormously in size, shape and purpose, these examples may prove useful in running your own network. Here we will also place draft frameworks and other tools that can help you run a successful network.
If you have documents or other material which may be of benefit to other network co-ordinators, or if you have any queries about running a network, please contact editor@networks.nhs.uk
Useful documents
Presentations from the First Annual NHS Networks Conference, November 2006
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Introduction: NHS Networks (ppt, 52KB)
Edna Robinson, National Lead, NHS Networks -
The Nature of Networks: Theory, practice and key lessons for the future (ppt, 293KB)
Nick Goodwin, Senior Lecturer, Health Services Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine -
Patients/clients in networks: participation, experiences and dilemmas (ppt, 285KB)
Henk Nies, Netherlands Institute for Care and Welfare -
System Management and Networks (ppt, 120KB)
Giles Wilmore, Head of System Management and Regulation, Department of Health
These documents provide specific information about how to run successful networks.
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A Review of Current and Future Network Models for Adult Critical Care and Perinatal Care within the Trent Region (PDF, 40KB)
Report by Tony Dinning, Trent Perinatal Network Manager, and Sue Shepherd, Mid Trent Critical Care Network Director, prepared in response to on-going SHA reviews of network functions following the white paper 'Creating a Patient Led NHS.' -
Guide to Effective Managed Care Networks for Critical Care (PDF, 190KB)
Report commissioned by the National Critical Care Network Managers Group (England) in partnership with the Department of Health to determine the benefits of Managed Care Networks for Critical Care. -
West Midlands Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Network (Word, 29KB)
A case study in the development and management of a regional network. Originally published by the International Network of Women Against Tobacco (INWAT ). (May 2007) -
Strengthening the Role of Managed Clinical Networks (PDF, 108KB)
Published by the Scottosh Executive Health Department. Reiterates the core principles underpinning MCN development and covers issues such as integration of MCNs with other NHS bodies; leadership and management; patient and carer involvement; accreditation; and information technology. (April 2007) -
A guide to understanding pathways and implementing networks (PDF, 207KB)
Report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). The document is in two halves. The first looks at the thinking behind pathways and networks, and the second examines the practical aspects that may need to be considered by commissioners, providers and regulators, when developing future networks.(December 2006) -
A suggested framework for the self assurance of service delivery networks (PDF, 284 KB)
This paper, produced by NHS Networks, aims to give a basic background to the nature of networks and suggest the key elements for a successful network. It includes a self assurance grid, which is also supplied below in Word format. - A draft self assurance grid for clinical and service delivery networks (Word, 44KB)
This is a useful grid which networks can use to help ensure they are run effectively and with appropriate governance and controls. -
Designing networks for collaborative advantage (PDF, 1.1MB)
Published by the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP), this focusses on designing networks for collaborative advantage. It provides practice-based evidence on how to set up networks to improve partnership working and achieve positive outcomes. Read more about this issue here. -
Network assessment tool (Word, 52KB)
Designed to assess the strengths and weakness of networks you are involved in. Produced by CSIP. -
Beyond Boundaries: A Guide to Diabetes Networks (PDF, 676KB)
Published by the National Diabetes Support Team (NDST), this 31-page document looks at all aspects of networks, including, roles, requirements and structures, and has lots of advice an analysis which can be applied to networks in any area, not just diabetes.-
Supplement: System Reform and Commissioning (PDF, 136KB)
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Supplement: Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: role of diabetes networks (PDF, 2.3MB)
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- A draft self assurance grid for clinical and service delivery networks (Word, 44KB)
This paper by NHS Networks is the appendix to the standardisation framework, and is a useful grid which networks can use to help ensure they are run effectively and with appropriate governance and controls. -
Western Sussex have categorised network assurance by five sub headings. More information is available at their website.
These documents give more general background to the nature of networks.
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Stop smoking in pregnancy: one Trusts answer (PDF, 680KB)
Article by Carmel O'Gorman, first published in Midwives magazine, Feb/Mar 2008, reproduced by kind permission of the Royal College of Midwives -
UK Clinical Research Network Annual Meeting 2007: 'Patient Benefit - the value of Networks'
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Challenges for trials in the 21st Century - Professor Janet Darbyshire (ppt, 619KB)
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Cancer research - strategies to benefit patients and the public - Professor Alex Markham (ppt, 517KB)
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What has clinical research in stroke achieved for stroke patients? - Professor Gary Ford (ppt, 1.2MB)
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How will Networks help academic funders to deliver benefits for patients? - Simon Denegri (ppt, 183KB)
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How will Networks help academic funders to deliver benefits for patients? - Professor Alan Silman (ppt, 144KB)
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How are patients and the public adding value to clinical research? - Nick Partridge (ppt, 485KB)
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How will Networks help industry to deliver benefits for patients? - Dr Richard Tiner (ppt, 414KB)
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- Modernising from within: action learning solutions for pathology (PDF, 608KB)
- A 2007 report from the Pathology Modernisation Programme which includes a section on network development.
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Scoping the profession: mapping support for the pharmacy profession in Great Britain (PDF, 96KB)
A 2006 report by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain which identified that pharmacists have developed strong networks of support groups. -
Strengthening Local Services: The Future of the Acute Hospital (PDF, 592KB)
This document talks about how networks will be a key to future provision of healthcare, and how networking can influence the shape of hospitals and other healthcare providers. -
Advancing knowledge in health (Word,175KB)
This paper looks at using community and clinical knowledge networks to address the key issues of community knowledge, clinical training and standards, and the management of clinical units, and discusses the advantages of this. -
Clinical networking in New South Wales health services (Word, 66KB)
This document is a study of service level networks in health services in the antipodes. -
Network manager competences (external link)
Skills for Health carried out a survey on the role of network managers in healthcare to assess where it is likely that existing competences are appropriate to the role, determine where the role is not described by current competences and identify where there is a need to develop specific competences for this area. The exercise also looked at the different clinical areas across the UK where network managers operate. The competences are now available in a series of documents, available for download. -
Managing across diverse networks: Lessons from other sectors (PDF, 315KB)
HSMC research and policy report by Nick Goodwin, Perri 6, Edward Peck, Tim Freeman, Rachel Posaner
Summary report for the Service Development and Organisation programme (SDO) within the NHS Research and Development Programme (January 2004) -
Networks briefing: Key lessons for network management in health care (PDF, 228KB)
SDO report -
Leadership in Health Care: A European Perspective by Neil Goodwin (Word, 66KB)
Extracts from Chapter 4 'Networks, Partnerships and Collaboration' -
Clinical networks: Advantages include flexibility, strength, speed, and focus on clinical issues (external link)
Useful overview of the advantages of networks within the NHS, written by Nigel Edwards (policy director, NHS Confederation) and originally published in the BMJ in 2002. Reproduced on PubMed Central and still relevant.
Case study 1: Agency Associates
Although not actually called a network at the time, this was a network of people throughout the NHS who worked with the NHS Modernisation Agency (as was). The following documents were sent to prospective members of Agency Associates, explaining what was expected of them and outlining how the network functioned.
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Membership agreement (Word, 87KB)
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Benefits and criteria (Word, 46KB)
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Data protection form (Word, 62KB)