29/06/2008 by Patrick Keady.

The NHS is 60 on Tuesday. Happy birthday to a British treasure that is respected at home and around the world.

And tomorrow, Lord Darzi publishes his views on how the NHS can enhance that respect by delivering even better healthcare over the next 10 years. Further changes in NHS strategy are quaranteed. And as we know, implementing strategies can be challenging. Which reminds me of a research paper that I read recently. Based on the views of 35,000 people, the paper highlights just four areas that make (or break) the effective implementation of strategies.

My view is that by focusing on these four areas, professional groups, SHAs, PCTs and Trusts will be well placed to respond to Lord Darzi’s challenges. The four areas are information, decisions, motivators and structure. Here’s my initial thoughts on how NHS organisations and people working with NHS patients, can be better placed to deliver even better healthcare over the next 10 years.

Information - that important ‘competitive’ information gets to Boards, PCTs, SHAs and the Department of Health, more quickly – from patients, staff, independent healthcare providers, charities. That information flows freely across professional and organisational boundaries. NHS employees and other people employed to work with NHS patients, understand the real impact of their day-to-day choices on patients. Middle managers and clinicians have access to the information that they need to measure the key drivers of their service. That sources of conflict are acknowledged and responded to appropriately.

Decisions - reducing uncertainty will ensure that all people working with NHS Patients, understand the decisions and actions that they are responsible for. People will be clear about the impact of their decisions. They will be happy to be held accountable. Senior clinicians and managers will continue get involved in decisions at speciality/Departmental levels. The culture moves further towards ‘persuade and cajole’ and away from ‘command and control’. Human Resources, Finance and other corporate roles further change their behaviour to support Specialities and Departments.

Motivation is the third driver. Performance will focus more on outcomes – differentiating between high, adequate and low performers. Career advancement and salaries will be strongly influenced by the individual’s ability to deliver on their performance commitments. Even when an NHS organisation has a bad year, and one of its Specialities or Departments has a good year, the Speciality/Departmental gets a bonus – the team earns greater autonomy and financial support to further develop their Speciality/Department.

Structure. Increasingly, promotions will be from one position to another on the same level in the hierarchy. Fast-track employees can expect to be promoted upwards, at least every three years. Middle managers have a minimum of five direct reports.

So there you have it - my thoughts on four drivers that will help translate Dr Darzi’s thoughts into reality. Having worked with the NHS for 17 years, I know that we have the ability to achieve this. My gut-feel is that we will exceed! Here’s to even better NHS outcomes over the next 10 years.

Posted in NHS, Safety, Darzi, Governance, Patient, Strategy, Health and, Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

11/06/2008 by Patrick Keady.

I was interviewed today. About what it was like to be an NHS manager in the 1990’s.

The interview was recorded. With just one day’s notice, preparing for the interview, was interesting. While I knew that there would be three people in the studio – interviewer, cameraman and me - I was aware that a lot more people were likely to see the video. This is when I thought …… oops, gulp, do I really want to participate in the interview! So I realised that I needed a plan. But what might it look like? Well after some thought, these are the actions that I came up with:

1. looking at the interviewer, not on the camera
2. dressing in NHS manager uniform ….. the suit
3. being aware of my posture
4. speaking more slowly than usual, so that I had more time to fully express my thoughts
5. predicting the likely questions that I might be asked
6. identifying the key messages that I wanted to get across about what it was like when I was an NHS manager in the 1990s
7. switching the mobile phone off, removing coins from my pockets and asking that the TV screen set was switched off, so that I could not see myself being interviewed
8. having examples prepared, so that my messages were personal to me
9. expecting the unexpected, flexibility would be a bonus
10. being an active participant - because the camera (and audience) would see everything - posture, energy, facial expression
11. taking a brisk walk beforehand - to get the adrenaline flowing

So did the plan work? While I haven’t seen the video, I was happy with how the interview was managed by the interviewer and cameraman. These guys clearly knew what they were doing. I will post a link on this blog, after the interview is broadcast.

Posted in Wembley, Gas Street Works, Patrick Keady, Safety, NHS, Health and, Patient, Governance, Personal Development | Print | No Comments »

09/06/2008 by Patrick Keady.

Did you know that today sees the start of National Men’s Health Week. For some headlines and a booklet on men’s health check out www.www.menshealthforum.org.uk

The theme this year is men in the workplace, with a particular focus on improving occupational safety and health, and promoting health promotion interventions for men. Both men and women can contribute to the spirit of National Men’s Health Week.

Here are my top five health and safety tips for employees and workers this week:

1. Keep spaces tidy – this will help to prevent slips and trips, and it can reduce negative stress too
2. Plan your journeys - to avoid rushing, and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue
3. Maintain good posture, especially when using a computer. This will help you avoid musculoskeletal disorders, the most-commonly reported workplace injuries
4. If you spend time in the sun, wear skin protection, to help prevent skin cancer
5. Report health and safety concerns – following up your reports will help to prevent accidents and ill health at work.

Posted in Safety, Health and | Print | No Comments »