Most LIFTCos are building strong local partnerships

2.4 Primary Care Trusts consult with organisations that strategically manage or deliver local primary or social care services to ensure wherever possible, endorsement of their Strategic Service Development Plan. Stakeholder support for LIFT has on the whole been encouraging. The structure of LIFT is designed to foster a spirit of partnership with stakeholders working together to achieve mutual goals, but of course the success of the partnership is dependent on local circumstances and personalities. We found in some case study LIFT areas that local stakeholders become further engaged in the scheme as LIFT develops - for example, stakeholders have provided assistance in selecting the private sector partner and attended user group meetings. There are, however, some areas where proposals have generated local opposition or where groups of stakeholders felt that LIFT did not fulfil their aspirations.

2.5 Local Authority input is a key feature of LIFT as they undertake many health related functions, and can get involved at a number of levels; as shareholders in the LIFTCo, as strategic partners, or simply as tenants of the premises. Whatever route Local Authorities choose to follow, their involvement is most effective when harnessed early. This has not always proved possible. Local Authorities tend to have different decision making processes and finance regulations to Primary Care Trusts. Several council representatives in our case study areas felt there were constraints preventing full involvement in LIFT.