Annual General Meeting 2013
The agenda, papers and minutes for our inaugural AGM which was held in the main auditorium at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 15 October, 5-6pm are all available to download.
To give you a better idea of the items discussed, the medical director's report is displayed below:
This report focuses on the FMLM priorities for the coming year whereas the annual report focuses on activities that have been undertaken in the past year. Approximately one third of the membership will attend the annual conference; the programme has, therefore, been designed to solicit feedback to inform the future strategy discussions at the November Council meeting.
Standards
Excellence in leadership contributes significantly to the quality of care experienced by patients but the standards against which medical leaders can compare themselves have not been defined. This is a clear role and priority for FMLM made more pressing by recent high profile national reports.
FMLM proposes to follow the elegant simplicity of the three levels of leadership (strategic, operational and team) defined by Professor John Adair in developing the standards. We will also draw on key publications including the GMC’s Leadership and Management for all Doctors, AoMRCs Medical Leadership Competency Framework and NHS Leadership Academy’s Healthcare Leadership Model.
In addition, FMLM will be preparing a process of accrediting individuals against these standards.
Primary care
Primary care membership of FMLM is significant in number but disproportionately low at a time when the leadership demands are high. Therefore, FMLM commissioned Drs Jane Povey and Tariq Siddique to begin to devise a primary care strategy which began with a large survey with a gratifyingly high response. Building on that research, FMLM will develop a strategy to ensure that GPs are well represented throughout our membership and that appropriate services and support are offered to GP members at all levels.
The next generation of medical leaders
Supporting the next generation of medical leaders is an essential part of FMLM’s role. There is already a significant number of members who are medical students and doctors in training, many of whom will access leadership development through their deanery or external organisations. This year’s clinical fellows are working to map all the leadership development that takes place across the UK as the basis for further research on the quality and timing of programmes and their contribution to improving healthcare outcomes.
The success of the clinical fellow scheme and subsequent expansion to the North of England and similar schemes in Wales and Scotland has been a terrific advance in the past year. Clinical fellows contribute to and learn a significant amount from their host organisations. As the scheme continues to evolve a number of issues need to be addressed, not least their ongoing engagement in leadership and management and their support once they return to clinical training. FMLM will work with the fellows and colleagues who have participated in similar programmes to support the transition back to clinical practice and further development and application of their leadership skills.
The Trainee Steering Group (TSG) and Medical Students Group (MSG) are well established and continue to expand what the FMLM offers across the UK. The TSG will build on the invaluable contribution of its founding members by restructuring the way that it works. The emphasis will be on even greater engagement with the FMLM and with trainee members. The TSG and MSG will also seek new ways to energise their projects through funding and senior support from a variety of sources.
Regions
Development of our regional networks is a fundamental principle of the governance of FMLM with regional leads representing the single largest group on Council. Furthermore, they are essential to engaging members at all career stages, sectors and specialties. Dynamic networks will serve to inform the FMLM strategy and to identify the needs of members and how best they can be met through the most appropriate balance of local and national delivery. During 2013-14, FMLM will focus on supporting our regional leads and regional trainee leads to grow the networks, deliver local events and services to members.
Member support
FMLM plans to grow its online and offline support to members across the UK in 2013-14. Our focus is to develop a suite of bespoke, largely on-line, resources to support for doctors as they progress throughout their career, from learning the basics to preparing, delivering and exiting leadership roles.
Online support
We will continue to develop the already extensive online support materials such as Transitions and Psychometrics series, learning journeys through Learning Leadership, webinars and buddying for quality improvement initiatives.
Coaching and mentoring
We plan to develop a network of coaches for FMLM members. FMLM coaches will support the development of an FMLM coaching framework, delivery of masterclasses through the regions and accreditation. The trainee steering group and medical students group will deliver a pilot mentoring programme over the coming year.
Project bank
An online system for individuals to advertise or put themselves forward to participate in projects at a national, regional and local level will be established to enable members to access potential leadership development initiatives.
FMLM Careers
FMLM recognises that it has a role in helping individuals and organisations to assess their talent and help to ensure that the best and most appropriate individuals are appointed to leadership and management roles. FMLM Careers will offer unique, highly specialist services designed specifically for medical leaders combining the assessment of medical leadership talent, the advertisement of medical leadership roles and ‘head-hunting’ of medical leaders. More information about FMLM Careers will be available in late 2013.
Revalidation
Revalidation is an excellent process for the medical profession to demonstrate the value it brings to the delivery of high quality care for patients. Through quality assured appraisal and informed professional development planning, it is also a powerful tool to guide appropriate continued personal improvement. Although the primary focus has been on clinical quality, FMLM has been at the forefront of ensuring that under the ‘totality of practice’ concept, medical leadership and management are both assessed and assessable. A range of resources have been, and continue to be, developed to ensure that we know what a good medical leader/manager looks like.
Consultancy
Senior medical leaders are frequently called upon to deliver and support teams and organisations address significant leadership challenges. FMLM, through its qualified and experienced membership, is uniquely placed to provide consultancy support and advice to help organisations develop excellence in medical leadership and engagement and overcome challenges of contemporary healthcare delivery. Our consultancy arm will be developed throughout 2013-14.
Research
The research on leadership and healthcare outcomes (in collaboration with Professor Michael West) will be published in full later in 2013. Following on from this FMLM, in conjunction with the King’s Fund and the Center for Creative Leadership (North Carolina, USA), will identify and undertake further research to grow the evidence base which demonstrates the value of leadership to the delivery of high quality patient care.
