An interesting week in healthcare, the Darzi report has given us all a lot to think about; FMLM responds

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Commenting on the publication of Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England, Professor Rich Withnall, Chief Executive Officer of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management said:

“The contents of this report are a sad indictment of where the health service finds itself but is also a much-needed reality check that provides clarity about the issues that need to be addressed. 

“There is much in the report for the government and health service to digest and tackle, but Lord Darzi provides some comfort that will be welcomed by leaders, managers and staff alike. 

“While the report is damning in its assessment of previous reorganisations, it calls for no further tinkering – which will be welcomed at the clinical front line. It also makes clear that the move towards Integrated Care Systems is the right one, and that there must be a shift to move care upstream, away from hospitals and into the community. 

“Alongside that, the report suggests a reconfiguration of the NHS’s management resources, moving more from the centre to other part parts of the structure, while making clear that the current level of central management oversight is hindering the work of care organisations, something we know has been a major issue for leaders of all stripes. 

“It is also pleasing to see vindication for the work of leaders and managers within the report – contrary to the general mood music – largely absolving them for the state that the health service is in, and arguing that while the NHS has many strong and capable leaders, it needs more. 

“Disappointingly, however, it suggests that ‘management capability is still behind where it was in 2011.’

“All of this crystalises the need for investment in training for leaders and managers, to level up quality around the system, make better use of resources and facilitate better care for patients. This will be crucial to the delivery of any new 10 year plan, and as models of care change. 

“As the report says ‘fortunately, leadership is not a quality that is simply endowed; it is a skill that can be learned’. We must now see the government’s proposed 10 year plan help deliver this upskilling, via standardisation of training and investment in it.  As we develop our proposal to become the (Royal) College of Clinical Leadership as included in the Labour Party manifesto, FMLM stands ready and willing to help.