Leadership review must look beyond value

Over the weekend, health and social care secretary Sajid Javid announced the review, which he said would be the most far-reaching since the early 1980s, when the Griffiths report introduced general management.

The review, which is due to report early next year, has two main aims – to reduce regional variations in efficiency and health outcomes, and to consider how to generate and spread the best examples of leadership throughout the health service.

It will look to improve processes and efficiency, and enable new ways of working. The government said it was determined to ensure every pound of public money is well spent.

King’s Fund policy director Sally Warren (pictured) said it was important to examine the leadership skills required as the NHS moves from competition to collaboration.

‘We know that compassionate and inclusive leadership is key to successfully delivering good-quality care. It is critical that the review does not focus on efficiency at the expense of the leadership qualities needed to ensure that staff feel valued and able to deliver the best possible care. 

‘The history of the NHS is dotted with reviews of management and leadership by leading figures from outside the NHS that have failed to have significant impact, so the government will need to be clear what will be different this time.

‘Leading health and care services is one of the most challenging leadership tasks in this country, so it is critical that this review ensures leaders feel supported to step up into these complex and demanding roles.’

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, added that the NHS is already one of the most efficient health services in the world. Health service leaders are deeply committed to improving care, reducing variation and cutting waste, he said.

‘They know they need to think like a patient and act like a taxpayer. They will therefore want to work closely with this new review to identify ways to improve and deliver full value for the extra new taxpayer investment in the NHS,’ Mr Hopson added.

The review, to be led by retired vice chief of the defence staff, Gordon Messenger, will also look at how commitments made following the recommendations of previous management reports could be delivered. In 2015, Lord Rose’s review, Better leadership for tomorrow, examined ways to strengthen NHS management, making 19 recommendations on training, performance management, bureaucracy, and management support.

Mr Javid said: ‘We are committed to providing the resources health and social care needs, but that must come with change for the better.

‘This review will shine a light on the outstanding leaders in health and social care to drive efficiency and innovation. It will help make sure individuals and families get the care and treatment they need, wherever they are in the country.’