title: Networking between community health programs: a team-work approach to improving health service provision.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Networking between non-government organisations in the health sector is recognised as an effective method of improving service delivery. The Uttarakhand Cluster was established in 2008 as a collaboration of community health programs in rural north India with the aim of building capacity, increasing visibility and improving linkages with the government. This qualitative research, conducted between 2011-2012, examined the factors contributing to formation and sustainability of this clustering approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Annual focus group discussions, indicator surveys and participant observation were used to document and observe the factors involved in the formation and sustainability of an NGO network in North India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis demonstrated that relationships were central to the formation and sustainability of the cluster. The elements of small group relationships: forming, storming, norming and performing emerged as a helpful way to describe the phases which have contributed to the functioning of this network with common values, strong leadership, resource sharing and visible progress encouraging the ongoing commitment of programs to the network goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, this case study demonstrates an example of a successful and effective network of community health programs. The development of relationships was seen to be to be an important part of promoting effective resource sharing, training opportunities, government networking and resource mobilisation and will be important for other health networks to consider.
authors.affiliation: Redburn View, Landour Community Hospital, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India 248719. nathangrills@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Grills
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Maneesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012423:Rural Health; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires