ABSTRACT
Collaboration is the act of working together with other people or organisations to create or achieve something. Synonyms for ‘collaboration’ include words such as ‘partnership’, cooperation’ and ‘alliance’, and despite the fact that general practitioner (GP) to date have remained independent contractors within the National Health Service hierarchy, all these descriptors have at some point been aligned with the word ‘GP’. As the nature of the work in general practice has changed, so the nature of the work-force supporting its delivery has significantly evolved. Organisational collaboration to standardise staff terms and conditions or remuneration amongst employing organisations including general practice can help reduce staff turnover exacerbated by organisations competing for staff. Working in collaboration with patients and carers has always been fundamental to support shared decision making. Effective collaboration requires leadership and willingness to manage one’s own work effectively but also help the organisation and others respond and adapt.
