Evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between SWSLHD and local councils
South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Population Health has had a long-term interest in and partnerships with local councils in the district. The LHD and four local councils have developed and are implementing MoUs with co-funded positions to support implementation of joint objectives that sit within each council and the LHD.
This current piece of research, a joint project between CHETRE, the Healthy Places Unit, Health Promotion Services, and the four councils, will be a world first in taking a sophisticated real time approach to action research to better position intersectoral partnerships for health within local government.
Project description
This two-part project will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between SWSLHD and four Local Councils (Fairfield, Liverpool, Wollondilly and Campbelltown). Specifically, the project will evaluate:
The ability of the MoUs to result in sustainable health and wellbeing outcomes
The role of health partnership MoUs in building reciprocal capability and collaborative advantage between two different organizations
The functioning and support for co-funded positions between SWSLHD and four local councils in South Western Sydney to maximise their effectiveness and impact on Council and Local Health District business
In addition to the co-funded positions, identify what else is required to maximise the impact of the MOUs
The project involves stages across 2 phases.
Phase 1: Establishing theory of change
Stage 1. Review of literature
Stage 2. Review of documentation
Stage 3. Program logic development
Stage 4. Reporting and dissemination
Phase 2: Developing and conducting an action research evaluation.
Stage 1. Evaluation design and protocol: data collection and analysis against the theory of change
Stage 2. Conducting the evaluations
Stage 3. Revisiting and refining theories of change
Stage 4. Comparing findings
Stage 5. Reporting and dissemination
Phase 1 was completed in 2022. Phase 2 was completed in 2024.
Related Publications
Yashadhana, A., Jaques, K., Chaudhuri, A., Pry, J., Harris, P. (2024). 'Intersectoral Partnerships Between Local Governments and Health Organisations in High-Income Contexts: A Scoping Review', International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 13(1), pp. 1-13. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2024.7841
Partner organisations
SWSLHD Population Health
SWSLHD Healthy Places Unit
SWSLHD Health Promotion Services
Wollondilly Shire Council
Campbelltown City Council
Fairfield City Council
Liverpool City Council
Project team
Patrick Harris, Project lead
Karla Jaques
Raquiba Khan (Phase 2)
Contact person
