How are Scottish integrated primary care organisations managed?

In the absence of central guidance on the development of integrated primary care organisations, a diversity of models is emerging. This paper examines the management arrangements of Scottish local health care co-operatives (LHCCs). A postal questionnaire survey of all 79 LHCCs was conducted. The response rate was 35 per cent. LHCCs set up management bodies and created workgroups. Stakeholder representation was not socially inclusive: attempts to engage patients and local communities were limited and need to be stepped up to increase responsiveness and accountability to local health care users. LHCCs were also vehicles for local ownership and control of health care provision. To facilitate co-operation among participating practices, LHCCs need to focus on issues of leadership, organisation, and involvement in decision making. Finally, management expenditure per capita was comparable with that of other types of integrated primary care organisations.