Community Value - Community Hospital

Abstract

Our research into community engagement, community partnerships and co-production asks the question “What does the community do for its community hospital, and what does the community hospital do for its community?” This study is part of a three-year programme involving three related studies and with teams working collaboratively. This study led by Professor Jon Glasby builds on earlier research which demonstrated integrated working in 48 community hospitals and in particular between local communities and the statutory sector (local NHS and Council). Case studies provided evidence of community-led initiatives including volunteering, funding equipment and buildings, instigating and promoting new services, supporting hospital developments, sharing in management in joint ventures and taking ownership of hospitals. There is an absence of research into communities and their community hospitals, despite community involvement being identified as a key feature of these small, local and often remote and rural facilities. This is often characterised by local people typically using the term “our hospital.” In a mixed methodology approach, we are analysing financial and volunteer activity data for community hospitals in England, sourced from our databank from the University of Birmingham Third Sector Research Centre. This will enable us to scope and measure the level of support across the country. We are investigating the relationship between communities and their community hospitals in 9 case study sites through interviews and focus group and also through analysing local documentation. We are investigating how community support is mobilised and resourced, and with what results. This study will provide new knowledge on the contribution communities make to their community hospitals and the overall benefits. We will then assess whether this provides transferable learning for the wider NHS.