Richard Hall, director at Edge Public Solutions, writes for The Executive Magazine on how more joined-up public services can benefit us all, and what opportunities may have been missed because of confusing legislation.
Most commentators, experts, politicians and public sector workers can see the compelling benefits that would come from public services working better together. These benefits appear plentiful and obvious through the eradication of duplication, sharing of infrastructure, focussing on outcomes for the people they serve and essentially, as a result, saving lots of money.
Indeed our citizens commonly ask the question why Government and its many departments and services cannot operate more like John Lewis or Marks & Spencer with services which are easily accessible, in one place, and delivered from locations where people most need them.
The mission should therefore be quite simple. But it does not appear to be. Has Government been shooting itself in its many feet for far too long with the direction it has attempted to provide?
