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
As new NHS organisations formally take on their responsibilities, at the Health Ombudsman service we are also beginning a new phase, with the roll out of our new strategy and changes to the way we will handle complaints. Our vision is to make sure that complaints make a real difference ― to public sector health … Continue reading
In the wake of the Francis report and Mid-Staffordshire scandals, it has recently come to light that a further 14 trusts are under investigation due to unnecessary deaths and appalling mismanagement. There may be more. It is clear that our current system of healthcare regulation has failed. More importantly, this has meant that the NHS … Continue reading
Speaking on a recent Question Time panel, Lord Falconer expressed his despair at the failings in care unearthed at Stafford Hospital, saying he could not begin to think how to start to address such a failure. I think I know where to start – by making people who work in hospitals feel more connected. Connected … Continue reading
Delivering care for older people is a challenge which most health and care communities have failed to meet. In Warwickshire, we have had some success in delivering better and more sustainable care for older people across hospital and community settings. We have reduced mortality rates, acute hospital bed use, readmissions and the need for long-term … 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
I am writing this pre-Francis report, but publication is very soon. Rather than try to second guess the report, I want instead to address both my hopes and my fears for what will be – indeed must be – a pivotal moment for our NHS. Personally, I have two ‘top hopes’. Firstly, I hope it … Continue reading
A few days ago, I tweeted about a beautiful letter and said that NHS staff deserve a more balanced press. I didn’t expect 70 re-tweets, nine favourites, 50 new followers and 40 responses. One said that I was wrong and that NHS care was terrible. A couple said that poor care must be dealt with … Continue reading
