Comment / We are family

Another year goes by and another HFMA annual conference is upon us. I am pleased that for our 60th conference attendance is high. Given the huge change agenda and efficiency challenge facing the service, this is perhaps to be expected. But it is nonetheless pleasing given it is a special occasion for the association.

There are perhaps more unknowns than knowns in terms of the detail around the proposed new NHS structure. But we should see things start to take shape rapidly in the new year once the health bill is published and we start to move into detailed design and implementation. This detail will help us to better understand the opportunities and challenges ahead, both at the national and local service level and for individual finance professionals.

 The NHS finance profession remains strong. In its individuals, it has professional skills the NHS will need in the coming months and years. But it is also strong as a group. Frequent references to finance staff as a ‘family’ are no coincidence. The family members pride themselves on helping each other, supporting professional development of individuals and promoting professional standards. As a professional self-help group, we hear we are the envy of other professions – and we get on well.

As the HFMA, we believe we have a major role in keeping this family together. The key will be ensuring we keep meeting, exchanging information and helping one another as we have for the past 60 years. Our incoming president Suzanne Tracey’s theme for the year is all about support for members as we move into uncertain times (see page 21).

 This year we have celebrated 60 proud years at the very forefront of the NHS. Not perhaps in an outspoken way but with the consistency and professionalism you would expect from a body like ours. One of the real pleasures for me has been the development of a number of films to mark the anniversary. We’ve managed to involve a large number of former association leaders and I am delighted we will be premiering these at conference. Fuller versions of the films, along with a booklet tracing the history of the HFMA, will be available after the conference.

Highlights of the film sessions included meeting some of our elderly stalwarts, in particular John Robert Hindle and Trevor Rippington, two of our leaders from the 1970s. We have sadly lost some of our notable patriarchs recently, including Don Wild and Ingle Dawson, which brings home the importance of collecting these early memories of the HFMA.

We have spent the year celebrating and reflecting on the growth of the HFMA and I believe this has been useful for us to consider our future strategy. Our board challenged me in October to think further afield – to the emerging GP market and how we position ourselves externally as well as providing information to members.

 As we move into our 61st year, not only must we build on a proud past but also demonstrate the kindness, comradeship and good humour that has marked us out for so long and which will characterise Suzanne’s year in office. We must also develop plans for moving forward into other areas, notably primary care, so we can help shape policy.

Now is our time. The success of the proposals depend on a strong, competent finance function. Enjoy 2011!