Study that seeks to provide a more theoretically and empirically robust understanding of the dynamic relationship between joint commissioning, services and outcomes, thereby addressing three main questions:
- How can the relationships between joint commissioning arrangements, services and outcomes be conceptualised?
- What does primary and secondary empirical data tell us about the veracity of the hypothesised relationships between joint commissioning, services and outcomes?
- What are the implications of this analysis for policy and practice in terms of health and social care partnerships?
Underpinning this study is a desire to explore a working hypothesis common in current policy and practice: that partnerships lead to better services and hence to better outcomes for service users and their carers.