Public services revolution could come from frustrated staff, says Adebowale

A government initiative that supports frontline health staff to set up their own social enterprises should be extended to all public services, says a leading social entrepreneur.

Lord Victor Adebowale, CEO of health service provider Turning Point and a Social Enterprise Ambassador, is calling for the 'right to request' to be available to anyone who thinks they can deliver a better quality of service.

The right to request, introduced as part of former health minister Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review Final Report last year, gives NHS staff the right to ask their primary care trust (PCT) board if they can set up a social enterprise to provide NHS-contracted services.

Although the initiative seems to be falling short of expectations in the health service, Adebowale believes it could have an impact in other areas.

'I like right to request and the fact it hasn't yet attracted the right people is not because it's a bad idea,' he said.

'It's a step change and if we want public services to shape up we need more people who know how to make a difference to have the opportunity to make a difference.

'We need a small revolution in public services and social enterprises provide the perfect model. We know that the best people to take it forward are the frontline staff, the ordinary people, who are frustrated in the current system.

'If they only had the opportunity, we would all have better public services. Think about the impact it could have on areas like housing and refuse.'

However, Adebowale said the right to request process would need to be made simpler to attract those who could really make a difference.

He added that commissioners would have to be educated in how social enterprises could offer better value for money by tackling social problems, such as unemployment.

Darzi quit as health minister last week to dedicate more time to his work as a clinical surgeon and researcher.

As a supporter of social enterprise, he led the introduction of right to request in an attempt to give frontline health staff the opportunity to step out of the NHS and provide services without red tape. However, challenges such as staff's entitlement to their NHS pension have marred the initiative.

Dave Dawes, director of community interest company Entreprenurses and a member of the Department of Health's social enterprise investment fund panel, said Darzi led the way in helping people set up social enterprises, but his resignation did not leave a black hole.

'Before Darzi, there was nothing to say to NHS staff that if they don't feel valued they could go out on their own. We won't know whether it's a success or not for a couple of years,' he said.

'The numbers are not what the Department of Health expected, but at least the opportunity is there. The challenge now is to get the PCTs to accommodate it.'