This programme, run jointly between the Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) and the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV), is intended for practitioners and managers involved in the management and development of partnerships within health and social care agencies.

Collaboration working is seen as a solution to a range of current policy problems. However, there are still few development opportunities for those working across agency boundaries, despite the fact that working collaboratively is often more difficult than working in a single agency setting. Key challenges include overcoming differing legislative frameworks, organisational imperatives, funding streams and professional cultures to improve outcomes for service users and produce more co-ordinated care.

Despite this, much university educational provision remains very departmentally-based and has often failed to respond to the collaborative agenda. That this is the case is deeply to be regretted, as evidence suggests that educational provision which seeks to bring participants from different professional and organisational backgrounds together can help to enhance professional and personal confidence, promote mutual understanding, facilitate more effective communication and encourage reflective practice. 

Programme aims

The programme seeks to respond to the needs of health and social care agencies trying to work in partnership by:

• Introducing students to contemporary debates with regard to collaborative working in health and social care and developing their ability to analyse and contribute to such debates.
• Enabling students to develop skills in the critical analysis of policy relating to joint working.
• Assisting students to develop the analytical ability to relate theories and research findings to their current or future employment experience in health and social care services.
• Facilitating the development of skills in reflective practice and in the application of research evidence to the practice of management in health and social care.
• Providing the student with opportunities for shared learning in relation to collaborative working.
• Promoting understanding of different professional and disciplinary perspectives among professionals contributing to health and social care.

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Our programmes provide a challenging and inspiring study experience for both existing and aspiring practitioners in health and social care organisations. They equip participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop both their careers and organisations.

HSMC staff bring their wide knowledge of UK and international health systems (gained through research and consultancy activities, as well as their own professional experience) to their teaching and tutorial support for students.

This emphasis on combining theory and practice is maintained throughout all of our programmes, from the choice of titles for assignments, through the involvement of practitioners and policy makers in teaching activities, to the topics selected for dissertations.

While some students choose to concentrate on theoretical topics, many students carry out empirical studies for their dissertation, often related to their own place of work or area of professional expertise.

Facilities

Postgraduate programmes are taught at Park House which is a short walk from the centre of the University campus and provides a comfortable and well-appointed study environment. Facilities include:

• An on-site administrative team
• Dedicated library and resource facilities
• Free and ample car-parking provision
• Well-equipped classrooms
• Syndicate rooms
• IT resource rooms
• Dining area

Just a few steps away is the University’s Conference Park, which provides an excellent hotel environment for those wishing to be residential for taught modules.

HSMC students have access to the University’s main library and substantial online journals, databases and other materials via WebCT. A Programme Handbook provides comprehensive advice and information, and a separate handbook is provided for each module.

Participants are assigned an academic tutor to guide them through their studies and bespoke dissertation workshops are held throughout the year. Students are encouraged to engage as much as possible with HSMC staff and to participate in other events such as conferences, seminars and workshops. Part-time participants are encouraged to enlist a work-based mentor to provide assistance with their dissertations and translating their learning back into the workplace.

If you require further information about any of our courses, please telephone 0121 414 3174 or email C.J.Vos@bham.ac.uk.  

The first programme of its kind in the country, the MSc in Managing Integration for Health and Wellbeing, is a joint programme between two leading national centres of expertise: the Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) and the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV). It is aimed at those who are already working as senior practitioners and middle-level/senior managers.

Particularly want to take more account of issues from a 'users' perspective rather than our perception of what a user may want".

Enjoyable challenging theories which will contribute towards my management approach to change".