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Social partnership and political devolution in the National Health Service: emergence, operation and outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Nicolas Bacon

    (City University London, UK)

  • Peter Samuel

    (Nottingham University, UK)

Abstract

This article explores the emergence, operation and outcomes of social partnership in the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland and Wales. Social partnership emerged in the NHS following political devolution in 1998 which transferred powers to left-wing governments in Scotland and Wales. These arrangements helped improve health services, modernize industrial relations and enhance staff terms and conditions. In NHS Scotland, union participation in strategic decisions produced extensive co-operation to dismantle the internal health market, improve services and enhance staff terms and conditions. Union participation in NHS Wales was restricted to discussing workforce issues, and although co-operation increased when Welsh governments gained enhanced legislative powers and dismantled the internal health market, it delivered fewer improvements in service and pay levels. Differences in government political positioning (against public sector marketization) and degree of independence (with devolved administrations granted different legislative powers) help explain the operation and outcomes of social partnership.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Bacon & Peter Samuel, 2017. "Social partnership and political devolution in the National Health Service: emergence, operation and outcomes," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(1), pages 123-141, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:31:y:2017:i:1:p:123-141
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017015616910
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ian Roper & Philip James & Paul Higgins, 2005. "Workplace partnership and public service provision," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 19(3), pages 639-649, September.
    2. Michael Keating, 2005. "Policy convergence and divergence in Scotland under devolution," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(4), pages 453-463.
    3. Stephen Bach, 2002. "Public‐sector Employment Relations Reform under Labour: Muddling Through on Modernization?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 40(2), pages 319-339, June.
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