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Evaluation of links between North and South Healthcare Organisations

The Government’s response to Lord Crisp’s report, Global Health Partnerships: The UK contribution to health in developing countries was published in March 2008. It states that:

‘…more work is needed to build the evidence base around these [health links] partnerships. Despite many positive anecdotal reports there is still insufficient understanding on the impact and benefit of these links on the UK and developing partners. DFID and DH are currently funding an independent evaluation of the impact of international health links’.

We are now able to share the results of this independent evaluation. The report clearly documents that links can benefit partners both in developing countries and in the UK – but also recognises that there is considerable variation in the effectiveness of links. It provides valuable guidance and recommendations for best practice.

We will draw on the findings of this evaluation as we take forward the activities outlined in our response to Lord Crisp’s report. We will be establishing the new UK International Health Links Centre in the coming months, along with a new funding scheme for links; we will shortly invite expressions of interest in undertaking these pieces of work. We will imminently be inviting expressions of interest to undertake the framework for how the NHS and others in the wider UK health economy can make an effective contribution to strengthening health capacity in developing countries. This framework will update the 2003 International Humanitarian and Health Work Toolkit that provides practical details in this area. The framework will include aspects from this independent evaluation.

This report demonstrates the value that strategic and well structured links can add to strengthening health services in developing countries. We look forward to supporting such partnerships through the activities described above.

With best wishes