Our reforms, our partnerships, same problems: The chronic case of the English NHS

With the publication of a white paper on 'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say', the government reasserted its belief in the value of partnerships in delivering effective public services. Yet, despite the commitment, perpetual organizational reform will continue to undermine joint working. This article explores how certain types of continuous and externally imposed organizational change cause managers and practitioners to reluctantly turn away from partnership working, and considers what this means for policy outcomes.