National Support Office
National co-ordination is supported by a small central team - the national support office - which also enables the SHAs and DH to work together on common priorities for supporting delivery.
A small team of around 10-12 staff, the national support office:
- acts as the interface between RDCs, SHAs and DH negotiating agreements, for example, where a national approach was required;
- facilitates the collective working of RDCs to maximise effective integration of regional activity and resource;
- achieves consistent delivery for nationally initiated programmes where a common approach across SHAs is beneficial (e.g. Mental Health Legislation);
- ensures shared learning and support in order to achieve added value and avoid repetition;
- commissions nationally at the request of RDCs where single national procurement is appropriate; and
- avoids isolation of staff in challenging high profile delivery areas.