The Importance Of Partnership For Continued Success

No matter what profession, we all work with those we know, like and trust. Building a rapport with those who are influential in the build of a new surgery is key for long-term success.

The importance of an ongoing relationship is crucial. The success of a medical building is judged by the people who occupy it and the people who deliver services from it. The whole process involves a huge amount of interaction between all the parties.

The process begins with a dialogue between the partners about those who want to retire or the GP who is looking for a better building. When working with a surgery delivery partner, the whole focus has to be on the long-term planning of services to be run from the medical building. One of the key premises has to be the flexibility of a building so that it can deliver real value for others.To maximise capability, collaboration between the various aspects of the process has to be formed.

Any building has to be relevant to the people who will be using it. An old building with far too many signs, rooms that are not sound proof, come from poor decision making at an early stage, and too often it was planned for satisfaction of an immediate requirement. The longevity of any relationship is built on the personal relationships that are created.

It is so important to understand what drives the team players. Is it about creating a building that is supplied predominantly as a commodity to an investment company that is ultimately driven to create a return for its shareholders?

Success, we believe, is based on a return for the community as well as a return on investment. What sort of people are involved all the way through the process.

The Relationships Made

From an early stage of the conversation process,achieving a timeless element for any surgery becomes an important element of the relationship. The whole focus is to create a building that functions well is economical to run and will stand the test of time in looks, function, form and enjoyment of those delivering a service to their community.

A provider does not need every aspect in-house. Working with independent family based businesses that can provide the best service for an area, helps to create harmony of relationships.

Philip Proctor Architect of Proctor Watts Cole and Rutter an independent firm of Architects is the Charles Higgins Partnership, Architect and Construction Director.

With over 27 years’ experience, his knowledge of delivering high quality, low maintenance buildings provides a wealth of experience to influence and shape to create an inclusive approach for the whole surgery project. Jon Dunne of Jerrard Keats & Wolley is the Property consultant that is brought in to deal with the land and Property issues. Jon is also a Director of Charles Higgins Partnership.

A Family Network

Family businesses with a shared approach features throughout different stages of the build process. From working with quantity surveyors, Valuers, to family owned building contractors, who utilise labour from the immediate area of the new building, are all part of the collaborative experience.

For instance, there are Charles Higgins Partnership buildings where patients from a practice are also part of the construction team. This helps to create a real sense of community where 

The Charles Higgins Partnership values local involvement and commitment it is not about the large contractor arriving on site with an imported army of outsiders to build, but strive to engage with independent providers who are very much part of the immediate local area.

When working with those who have a shared common goal, it becomes easier to build a rapport.

More Than A Transactional Relationship

It has to be remembered that this is a joint effort, not a one-dimensional contractual relationship. To work together requires an element of trust and transparency. Trust with surgeries and trust with those who deliver a service can become a strong bond that builds momentum. It is even the small things that matter. For example, a door handle is one of the surgery items that require ongoing maintenance.

A door handle is used every five to seven minutes, so naturally there are times when they need to be maintained rigorously for one reason or another you do not want them to fail. It takes a brief discussion on how to maintain and if there is a failure a phone call to Zoe to instruct someone how to replace or if someone is needed to visit, it is taken care of. This all comes from building a rapport and a dialogue.

Working with people who care, understand and empathise can become one of the strongest tools for longevity of a relationship. To build that reliance, everything started with a conversation.

Lets look at where you are today and what you want to achieve. Call Jon on 01202 744990 or email jon@charleshiggins.co.uk

Image at the top of the article courtesy of Flickr

Testimonials

“To end my working days in such a place considering that 31 years ago when I started we worked from two very small rooms. It’s been magnificent.”

Dr Geoff Walder, Retired Senior Partner, Lilliput Surgery, Sandbanks

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