Comment / Time to talk

The annual conference is upon us and once again we get the opportunity to meet as a membership, both at the event itself and at the annual general meeting. 

The event will focus on the state of the NHS and the key challenges of efficiency and reorganisation that loom large in our thinking. 

Over the past year Suzanne Tracey has challenged members to ‘Take control’ and there has been a fantastic response. A programme of support provided jointly by the association, the Department of Health and strategic health authorities has brought practical programmes to finance staff, many of whom were hit by the changes and proposed further reforms. On top of that Suzanne has travelled the length and breadth of the country encouraging and inspiring people.

Having led us for the year, I pay tribute to her for the way she has juggled this with a busy job based in the far south of the country. I have benefited from her comradeship and insight and have been impressed with the energy and passion she has brought to the role.  There’s no doubt the HFMA has had a great year in 2011 and this is in no small measure down to Suzanne’s leadership.

Looking ahead, we face more challenges, both personally and professionally. The day of action on 30 November, which unfortunately coincides with the opening activities at conference, reminds us all that there are very big issues to resolve.

As a professional body rather than a trade union, we have not stepped into the pensions’ discussion. But we are concerned on a wider level about the pressure being put on our NHS staff at this time.  Many are working harder than ever and under more pressured and difficult circumstances.  The austerity facing the country is likely to last for at least the medium term and so will affect all our working lives. That’s why it is important we all invest some time and energy into our own personal skills and use networks such as the HFMA.

During Suzanne’s whistlestop tour of the branches, members were keen to understand the association’s views on some of the big issues – and more – keen to hear our voice expressing those views.

In response to this we have developed a committee called the Communications Special Interest Group. The group is tasked by the board with looking at communications and how we interact with the media. The intention is to develop a strategy around the types of issues we would wish to comment on.

It will also widen the ‘spokespeople’ pool to ensure we are well organised and able to comment with expertise on a range of issues. We have already started using new channels such as Twitter and LinkedIn in a limited way, but we will also explore whether and how we might expand this to benefit members.

On the subject of communication, we are always keen to hear from members through whatever channel you are comfortable using – be it texting, tweeting, email or old-fangled telephones. Tell us how the

HFMA can improve or how we can represent you better. 

From the AGM, Sue Jacques takes the reins and I know she wants to engage with members to put them at the forefront of her year.