Christie Commission: catalyst for change?

30 Jun 11
Paul Brewer

Campbell Christie has provided a road map for reform in the public sector in Scotland. The details are lacking, but let’s hope his analysis is the start of a long-term transformation

The Christie Commission report, published yesterday, delivers a call for radical and sustained reform in the design and delivery of Scottish public services.

It is vital that government and the wider public sector pulls together to address reform and does not become distracted by local government election issues or indeed the independence referendum due by 2015.

The report seems attuned to public expectations and it is interesting that a number of the recommendations arising from a recent Citizens’ Jury, convened by PwC, are mirrored in the report: in particular the need for much greater focus on service outcomes and for a shift towards preventative measures in areas such as social care, education and health.

There seems to be a consensus that not only can substantial savings be made if health and social care are integrated, giving a single point from which patients can receive support, but that there should be a shift towards prevention and not just cure and demand-led services.

Tackling issues at source, for example by providing aids and adaptations at home for elderly and disabled people, were seen as essential service priorities by our citizens. In short, they believed that this approach must surely not only be better in terms of their general wellbeing, but in providing the kind of substantial, long-term savings so eagerly sought by a government and public sector facing substantial spending cuts.  This view is played out in the Commission’s report.

With the Citizens’ Jury clearly focused on the outcomes they receive from public services rather than how they are delivered or who delivers them, there was also a strong call for greater collaboration between public bodies, as well as the private and voluntary sectors.

This issue has also been addressed by the Christie Commission, which calls for a complete culture change in public sector. By breaking down institutional walls, organisations would be better placed to see the bigger picture and, as a result, create efficient and effective services focused on individual needs that would deliver long term benefits for local communities.

While the Christie Commission report provides a road map for long-term culture change in the public sector, it has fallen short of delivering the detail needed on how to achieve it.  Despite the lack of a check-list, everyone will be hoping that it will provide a much-awaited catalyst for bold and radical change, galvanising the public sector in to delivering the transformation required to address the unprecedented challenges arising from the spending cuts.

If we are to create an iconic public service and deliver the outcomes that citizens deserve and indeed see as essential, it won’t be enough to tinker round the edges: ‘doing things differently’ will need to become the new mantra.

Paul Brewer is the head of government and public sector at PwC in Scotland

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