The NHS Confederation Expo 2024 showcased innovative strategies to enhance NHS efficiency. This article explores how a new government can shape healthcare policy to address pressing challenges and leverage key insights from the event.
Optimising Workforce Deployment
The NHS Confederation Expo highlighted the critical need for a flexible workforce capable of adapting to dynamic healthcare demands. Chief Nurse and People Lead at NHS England, Mark Radford, emphasised the importance of a workforce that can operate across the entire system, moving to areas of greatest need rather than being confined to specific locations. This approach not only adds personal value to healthcare workers by broadening their scope of practice but also enhances system-wide efficiency.
Director of Workforce Planning at NHS England, Martin Griffiths, stressed the necessity of dismantling traditional hierarchies within the NHS. He advocated for recognising a broad range of skills and valuing diverse contributions, viewing these varied talents as assets rather than burdens. Chief Executive of West Hertfordshire Hospitals, Matthew Coates, underscored the importance of getting the basics right in terms of flexibility, emphasising that healthcare is a team sport requiring cohesive collaboration.
Protection and Support
The panel also addressed the need to protect the workforce from harassment and ensure a supportive environment. They advocated for the same standards and protections for all staff, whether permanent or temporary, to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace.
Transformative Leadership
A keynote by Amy Edmondson, renowned for her work on psychological safety, introduced transformative approaches to leadership. Edmondson’s concept of “Work Without Fear” addresses the detrimental effects of workplace anxiety on performance. She urged leaders to create environments where staff feel safe to express ideas, ask questions, and raise concerns without fear of appearing ignorant or incompetent.
Chief Workforce Training and Education Officer at NHS England, Navina Evans, highlighted the significance of fostering a psychologically safe workplace, particularly in healthcare settings where high stress levels are prevalent. This involves recognising diverse mental models, inviting active participation, and responding constructively to feedback. Such an environment encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
Keynote from NHS Chief Executive
NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, laid out a comprehensive vision for fostering a culture where both staff and patients feel empowered to speak up. She advocated for the implementation of “Martha’s Rule” to enhance safety and transparency, especially in maternity wards. Pritchard also stressed the need to bolster primary care as the bedrock of the NHS, suggesting simple access routes and integrated frailty services to complement A&E operations.
Pritchard outlined three critical tasks: recruiting, retaining, and reforming the workforce; leveraging technology effectively; and ensuring well-trained, well-supported managers at every level. She emphasised the importance of returning to pre-pandemic productivity levels and fostering an environment conducive to consistent improvement and innovation.
Addressing Health Inequalities
The panel on tackling health inequalities, featuring Director of EMEA at Google Health, Susan Thomas, and Director of the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub, Professor Tim Chico, addressed the stark realities of regional disparities. They pointed to high levels of deprivation and unemployment in South Yorkshire, advocating for prioritising digital inclusion to combat these issues.
Creating health rather than merely combating illness was a central theme. Chief Workforce Training and Education Officer at NHS England, Navina Evans, highlighted the need to attract and retain a diverse workforce, including older apprentices, to build a resilient and inclusive NHS.
Chief Executive of NHS Confederation, Matthew Taylor, called for local collaboration and personalised care to radically improve healthcare models. He emphasised secondary prevention as a sustainability imperative, urging a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare strategies.
Final Thought
It is clear that the future of the NHS hinges on flexibility, innovative leadership, and addressing health inequalities.
A new government should prioritise these areas to build a more efficient and equitable healthcare system. By valuing a diverse workforce, fostering psychological safety, and engaging communities, we can create a healthcare environment that meets the evolving needs of patients and staff alike. The insights from this Expo provide a robust framework for shaping a forward-thinking healthcare policy agenda that can withstand future challenges and improve outcomes for all.
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