Oct 1 2010 9:30AM
More than 120 NHS staff from across Suffolk have drawn inspiration from some of the high street’s most iconic companies during an innovative conference designed to equip health service leaders for the radical public sector reform which lies ahead.
Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman of Marks & Spencer, and Dr Andy Wood, Chief Executive of brewers Adnams, addressed Suffolk Leadership Academy’s inaugural conference on Thursday (23 September). During the day, they revealed how they led their organisations through times of great change by winning hearts and minds, sharing examples of best practice which could benefit the NHS.
“We live in a fast paced world of constant change and have to react to what society wants,” Sir Stuart told the audience. “But unless you keep looking out of the window every single day, you will eventually glance up and the find the world has passed you by.
“You are trying to modernise your business – the NHS – and make it more efficient while maintaining quality. To do that, it is essential to get back to grassroots. Sit your customers down in a room and ask them what you are doing right and what you’re doing wrong. Then you will know what needs to be changed and what doesn’t.
“After this, you should develop a plan and stick to it. Empower the people around you to help make it happen, and ensure your key messages are distilled down through your organisation. Believe you can do it and you will be surprised how much difference you can make.”
Dr Wood told the audience of his approach to values-based leadership and the need for congruence between values and actions, saying: “Be seen to talk to staff and customers and feed back to them on action you take”.
Other speakers at the event included Sir Neil McKay, Chief Executive of NHS East of England, who spoke of the need to make resources work harder in current times of austerity so that services can continue to improve for the benefit of patients.
Carole Taylor-Brown, Chief Executive of NHS Suffolk, also gave her views of the challenges ahead while Lisa Hunt, Acting Chief Executive of Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, detailed her experience from financial turnaround to lean service transformation.
Professor Mike Saks, UCS Provost and Chief Executive, hosted the event. He said: “Suffolk Leadership Academy’s first ever conference was designed to help prepare those who shape and manage NHS services for the challenges which have arisen as a result of financial pressures and the government’s recent White paper
“We hope that everyone who attended took inspiration from the event and has been equipped with additional knowledge to help ensure they continue to lead health services with energy and enthusiasm as the NHS faces the biggest transformational change in its history.”
Visit the Suffolk Leadership Academy website| for more information.