Working together for injury reduction: a study of Accident Alliances in South East England

Abstract

Partnership is a cornerstone of current UK health policy, and a reduction in mortality and serious injury from accidents a key target. This paper reports a study of Accident Alliances, which explored participants' accounts of working together and using evidence to inform strategic and operational decisions. The reported facilitators of effective inter-agency working around injury reduction included clear remits for participants and the prioritisation of the alliance's work within the contributing organisations. The study focused on the barriers to the adoption of 'evidence-based' policy within partnerships. Evidence was rooted in professional and organisational cultures, and often contested. The greatest challenge was working together across diverse policy agendas, and reaching a consensus about appropriate use of evidence.