Costing has a key role to play in the drive for higher quality services for patients. Costing is not – or at least should not be confined to the finance department. It is not an activity done solely to meet central demands for information about productivity and costs. Nor is it just to inform tariff … Continue reading
The statistics surrounding our urgent care system are well known to us, but are nonetheless shocking. Emergency hospital admissions have increased by 37 per cent in the last 10 years. Nearly two thirds of people admitted to hospital are over 65 years old, and those over 85 account for one quarter of bed days. There … Continue reading
Most board members are aware of the sweeping changes that social technologies have brought about in our everyday lives. A recent survey shows that just over half of those at the very highest levels in companies claim to have a good understanding of the impact of social media on their business. Indeed, approximately two thirds … Continue reading
At times of significant change, strong leadership and engagement are vitally important. I know this first-hand as the chief nurse and clinical director of an organisation going through exceptional and widespread change. At NHS Direct, we are preparing to move from being a national provider of the 0845 46 47 telephone service to the local … Continue reading
As a midwife, I was interested to learn that the impact of the negative culture and poor standards at Mid Staffs extended to the maternity service. Highlighting the woeful prioritising of cost over care, the report brought to mind the marvels and frustrations I’ve encountered during the course of my 35 years working in the … Continue reading
The nursing profession is facing exceptionally difficult times. Deep cuts to frontline services, continued attacks on terms and conditions and an unrelenting degree of media scrutiny are all taking their toll on the profession. There is also, of course, the publication of the seminal Francis report, which gives nursing – and indeed anyone working in … Continue reading
We find ourselves in testing times. Challenges of all kinds are no stranger to us, tough decisions are our daily portion and tricky waters undoubtedly await us. The Francis report cast a bright spotlight on us all at a dim moment for the NHS. Never has it been more important for those of us in … Continue reading
Undoubtedly, boardrooms across the land will be full of cathartic conversations, heads shaken in disbelief that a train wreck of this magnitude could be allowed to happen. Some leaders will solemnly declare “we can do better”. Public outcry is stoked by a media aware that the industry has been caught putting profit first, with economic … Continue reading
How do you change a culture in a vast, complex organisation? Well, first you have to believe it is possible. Take something we can excited about. Let’s use with the London Olympics as an example. The games famously shifted the way the nation views sports and events. They made a cynical country proud, made us … Continue reading
The inquiry into failings at Mid Staffordshire Hospital has finally reported. But what might it mean for management within the NHS? We know that some sort of enhanced managerial accountability is on its way. The Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, wants to consider a range of options, and our discussion paper and consultation on the … Continue reading
