Feature / Making a Difference

The HFMA has released details of a free programme of support, including opportunities for mentoring, training and development.

Nobody needs reminding of the task facing the NHS. The £20bn Nicholson challenge provides one estimate of productivity improvement the NHS will need to deliver over the next three years to meet the demands of an ageing population and advancing technology. Finance has a major part to play in delivering the required transformation of services as well as providing vital finance and governance oversight during a period of structural change.

Finance staff must enhance their skills to be able to provide maximum support through this period. But they will also face changes themselves. For some, particularly those in commissioning, there will be structural changes. Current roles undertaken within primary care trust finance departments will be undertaken in a range of locations – clinical commissioning groups, commissioning support units and the NHS Commissioning Board with shared services potentially playing a bigger role.

The provider community will also face changes and new skills will be needed – more commercial skills and perhaps new costing skills, such as target costing, to support pathway redesign.
HFMA president Sue Jacques has highlighted the key role for finance with her theme for the year. She is determined to support finance staff in ‘Making a difference’ to patient care and NHS services. This support provides the content for a new joint initiative from the HFMA, the Department of Health and the national finance skills development team.

The ‘Making a difference’ initiative – free to participants – will provide an integrated package of support for all finance staff across the four nations. As well as support for developing skills, the programme will look to support innovative ideas and best practice on how to get more with less.

‘This is all about supporting the finance community through a crucial time for the NHS,’ says Ms Jacques. ‘This free package of support is an amazing opportunity for finance staff to prepare for the challenges ahead.’

Mentoring and coaching
Two ‘Making a difference’ coaching and mentoring programmes will provide training for up to 60 senior finance professionals. Stage one will (over two days in June or July) cover basic principles and required skills along with an opportunity to practice these skills. An optional stage 2 will lead to the chance to gain a university accredited certificate. The stage 2 programme will run over three days between September and November 2012. A one- day introductory programme for mentees/coachees will be held in June.

Webinars
A series of webinars will provide the opportunity for desk-based training. Three are planned in May and June covering stress management, managing change and motivation.

Residential programme
A three-day residential programme will help senior finance professionals to champion change and lead sustainable improvement in their organisations. Numbers are limited but applications will be considered for up to two finance managers per interested organisation. There will be two programmes in October, one each in the north and the south.

Seminars
A series of one-day seminars will allow participants to share good practice, learn from colleagues and update and develop their skills. The sessions will be lively and interactive and include sketches with actors playing out real- life situations. The first seminar runs in June.

? Dates at www.hfma.org.uk. For details email [email protected]