Case studies

Read more about how employers and trade unions have worked in partnership to deliver initiatives across the NHS.
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Working in collaboration brings new opportunities and benefits for NHS trusts and partners.

NHS chief executives, managers and staff representatives who have taken a partnership approach believe the benefits and opportunities they provide are immeasurable. With partnership, all parts of an organisation can come together to meet challenges, and work together to meet agreed goals.

Explore our examples of good partnership working from NHS organisations, regional and local SPFs.

If you have examples of good practice or case studies that you think would be useful to share with SPF colleagues, please send us an email marked good practice.

Our case studies

The winners of the HPMA standing on a stage dresses in formal wear, holding a certificate and a prize.
Case Study

Social Partnership working at its best

Read how East Cheshire NHS Trust won the 2024 HPMA partnership working award for its work with trade unions to support staff affected by menopause.

13 November 2024
A small group of individuals standing on a stage smartly dressed receiving an award for the HPMA Awards 2023.
Case Study

We work flexibly

Read how the Isle of Wight NHS Trust worked in partnership to improve its flexible working offer and won the 2023 HPMA partnership award.

20 September 2023
Featuring a diverse group of people with floatation devices on and paddles in hand standing on a dock side.
Case Study

Promoting a positive working environment

Find out how Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) transformed their disciplinary, performance and grievance policies and procedures in partnership.

20 September 2023
Featuring 3 seperate images of individuals with the logo for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
Case Study

Flexible working through a partnership approach

Find out how Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) worked with trade unions to improve their flexible working policy and culture.

20 September 2023
Featuring a diverse group of people standing in a room posing for the camera.
Case Study

Achieving organisational change through partnership working

Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust used partnership working to successfully support organisational change.

20 September 2023
Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership logo, Janet Wilkinson and James Bull
Case Study

Partnership working across health and care

Find out how Greater Manchester established partnership working arrangements to address workforce issues impacting the city's health and care systems.

27 October 2022
Meeting with laptops
Case Study

Improving wellbeing through partnership

Learn from Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's experience of undertaking two key projects in partnership with trade unions.

24 October 2022
HPMA 2022 - team photo Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Case Study

Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Toolkit for staff

Read how Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, winner of the 2022 HPMA partnership working award, developed a domestic and sexual violence toolkit.

9 September 2022
HPMA 2022 - team photo Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust and trade union logos
Case Study

Employer with heart

Find out how Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Trust made it to the finals of the SPF-sponsored 2022 HPMA partnership working award.

9 September 2022
Two office workers having a meeting at a desk.
Case Study

Working in partnership to build a just and learning culture

Find out how Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust worked in partnership to implement a just and learning culture.

8 October 2021
A close up of a healthcare worker wearing a mask and visor.
Case Study

Partnership working at its best

Find out how South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS FT met the challenges of the pandemic, and won the SPF sponsored HPMA partnership working award.

8 October 2021
A student nurse.
Case Study

RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme

Find out how RCN Wales worked in partnership to establish the RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme.

8 October 2021
Two friends running and laughing.
Case Study

Menopause at work: improving staff experience

Find out how Nottingham University Hospitals NHS FT worked in partnership to improve wellbeing of staff experiencing the menopause.

8 October 2021
Image of doctor and patient
Case Study

Negative to positive

Learn how The Christie NHS Foundation Trust used an informal partnership approach to address conflict and promote a positive work environment.

1 September 2021
A close up someone comforting another by resting their hands on the other's.
Case Study

Red card to racism

Read how North Bristol NHS Trust developed a campaign to target racism in the trust.

2 October 2020
Two office workers chat over coffee.
Case Study

One Voice - Caring Together for Staff

Read how West Midlands Ambulance Service developed its approach to staff wellbeing.

2 October 2020
An office worker writing on a pad next to a laptop.
Case Study

Developing leading NHS HR policies

Read how Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust worked in partnership to develop a practical, accessible and concise HR policy manual.

2 October 2020
Two office workers having a meeting at a desk.
Case Study

When it’s okay to tell the boss bad news

Read how Mersey Care worked in partnership to implement changes to organisational culture to create a safe environment for staff to raise concerns.

2 January 2020

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