Progress in the establishment of ward based outreach teams: experiences in the North West Province

Abstract

This chapter briefly describes the implementation of the Ward-based Outreach Teams (WBOTs) in the North West Province. The authors then highlight some of the findings of a rapid assessment of provincial and district implementation of Ward-based Outreach Teams conducted in the province during December 2012 and January 2013. The purpose of the chapter is to describe features of implementation that enabled the early uptake of the WBOTs in the province and to identify factors impacting on sustainable implementation that have relevance across the country. There has been a steady growth in roll-out and implementation of the PHC re- engineering strategy since 2011. By March 2014, 227 WBOTs (involving 1 643 community health workers and 201 team leaders) were functioning across the province. Implementation strategies included the establishment of a provincial task team, planning which was informed by a number of data-gathering exercises, a piloting process, implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system, development of supportive partnerships, and training of teams and team leaders. The rapid assessment found high levels of knowledge and ownership of the strategy across the province, but also concerns around its future. Based on the North West experience, the authors draw out a set of factors which will influence the sustainability of the WBOT strategy across the country. These strategies include making provision for: adequate financing, evidence-informed planning and implementation, provincial and district governance, communication and dialogue, appropriate partnerships and operational research on WBOTs.