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The Wales Audit Office today launches The Good Practice Exchange - an interactive online site which is designed to help public services improve, in Wales, the UK and beyond. Starting with the topic of managing sickness absence, the Exchange takes one or two broad themes each year that are relevant to all public sector organisations. Packed with information and advice, including videos, case studies, DIY checklists and profiling tools, the web pages are a useful reference point for staff at all levels - from Chief Executive’s, Elected Members to Officers and Administrators. The Good Practice Exchange can be viewed at www.wao.gov.uk
Managing sickness absence is an important first topic. Around 23% of the Welsh workforce is employed in the public sector. The immediate benefit of reducing the average number of days lost by only one is the equivalent of a cash injection of £27 million to the public services in Wales. The Good Practice Exchange examines what sickness absence methods are working well and encourages organisations to look at good practice examples and to learn from the successes of others.
The Wales Audit Office has decided to launch The Good Practice Exchange because of its unique position. Its remit crosses public sector bodies in Wales - Unitary Authorities, Welsh Assembly Government, NHS Trusts, Local Health Boards, Police, Fire Probation, National Parks, Assembly Government Sponsored Public Bodies and Community Councils - so it can look at the complete picture. The Wales Audit Office has also made a commitment to improving public services across Wales by helping organisations find good practice and implement it.
The Good Practice Exchange has been developed in consultation with other public sector bodies and has strong links with Excellence Wales and Public Sector Management Wales. It will be regularly updated, with new subjects added over time. Organisations are invited to submit their ideas and case studies by emailing goodpractice@wao.gov.uk
Jeremy Colman, Auditor General for Wales, said today:
“The Good Practice Exchange is easy to use and relevant to everybody in the public services. I firmly believe that it offers the prospect of really changing behaviour in key areas. The more people who use it, the better the results will be for the people of Wales - who deserve public services of the best quality.”
Anthony Snow, Wales Audit Office Chief Operating Officer, said today:
“There’s no point in reinventing the wheel, which is why The Good Practice Exchange is such a useful tool for all public services. It shares the learning across Wales by showing what is working effectively elsewhere. Why not take good ideas from other organisations and implement them wherever possible? It’s an effective, resourceful, and speedier way of improving and connects public services together.”
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