Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced up to £10m in funding to help NHS staff who want to start social enterprises as part of the government’s Right to Provide agenda. 

Lansley announced the news at the Voice11 conference this week, saying at least £10m would be made available via the Social Enterprise Investment Fund in 2011/12 for NHS staff wanting to set up independent organisations for the services they deliver.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, who is leading the government drive to allow public sector staff to form mutuals and social enterprises, praised the move:

“The Department of Health is taking a really positive lead devolving power to people on the front line who know how things can be done better. Across the public services we will soon give many more front line staff the chance to form mutual organisations and take control of their services with similar ‘Rights to Provide’.

“There’s huge pent-up frustration in the public sector because innovative ideas have been stifled by top-down control. Every time I visit existing public sector mutuals I’m impressed by the enthusiasm staff show for improving their service. Evidence shows that productivity rockets when staff take a stake in their business, this means better, more efficient public services as well as a more rewarding experience for staff.”

The Social Investment Business manage the Social Enterprise Investment Fund, with Local Partnerships, on behalf of the Department of Health.

Jonathan Lewis, chief executive of Social Investment Business, said:  “This is really great news for social enterprises providing health and social care services.
 
“We’re looking forward to being able to support more social enterprises to provide high quality, innovative and cost-effective health and social care services.”