Evaluation of the Western Cape Provincial Government's land provision programme for new state health facilities

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research was undertaken during 2009/2010 and focused on the Western Cape Department of Transport & Public Works (DPW) programme for the provision of land for the construction of new state health facilities (hospitals, community health centres, clinics) in the province. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the Department has instituted proper policy to deliver the required land, and whether this policy is implemented successfully. The study was thus, in essence, an evaluation of a government policy programme.The following are the overall findings and conclusions, per chapter:•Chapter 1 provides an introduction, with reference to the main research question and related questions.•In Chapter 2 important theory on policy evaluation is presented, and a Policy Documentation Template (PDT) developed, capturing the essential principles and elements for effective public policy documents.•In Chapter 3 important selected sections of the existing conceptual/theoretical body of knowledge on policy implementation are explored and analysed by the researcher, leading to identification of critical implementation principles/lessons as well as the Policy Implementation Monitor (PIM).•In Chapter 4 the DPW‟s set of policy documentation related to land provision for new state health facilities is studied, described, analysed, and compared with the PDT. It is found that an effective and enforceable annual operational plan does not exist, rendering successful policy implementation and monitoring impossible.•In Chapter 5 the implementation of the policy documents is described, and critically analysed. The PIM and lessons learnt from policy implementation theory are applied to DPW‟s implementation practice. Serious shortcomings are found in the implementation of the land provision programme – especially regarding ineffective cooperation between the Provincial Departments of Public Works and Health – resulting in delayed delivery of land for new state health facilities.•Chapter 6 contains the researcher‟s conclusions and policy recommendations.The researcher produces the following recommendations for consideration by the Minister, to address the problems in the DPW land provision policy programme:A. Appointment of a policy think tank (group of independent expert professional individuals with high-order management skills) with the following tasks:•Facilitate the establishment of a Health Facilities Partnership Contract (HFPC) between DPW and the Provincial Department of Health by 31 March 2011.•Ensure that the HFPC contains the essential elements on functioning of the partnership, and includes the mutually agreed new state health facility projects, of which construction must start over the next three financial years (2011/12 – 2013/14); also initiate an electronic management cockpit to be used by the Minister for real-time (24 hr) monitoring of progress with the priority land/facility projects.•Document a broad policy and strategic framework for innovative asset management approaches and models that will maximise revenue streams for DPW, and increase the value of the asset base of the Western Cape Provincial Government; this policy framework should include reference to inner city renewal in Cape Town, as well as asset-based urban regeneration and economic development in other larger towns of the Western Cape (e.g. George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus, Paarl/Wellington, etc.).•Make recommendations regarding updating of the asset register of DPW, including reference to effecting and conclusion of the transfer of various real estate properties that have not been transferred to DPW yet, and regarding sophisticated information/communication technology (ICT) solutions that will modernise DPW‟s asset management to international best practice standards.B. The „policy think tank‟ (Ministerial advisory group) should have experts from outside DPW as members, but will have to engage with the DPW top management (Head of Department; Chief Director of Property Management; Director of Property Development) in a partnership context in order to have the HFPC established.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University