Welcome to the NHS learning network!
Isn't
it interesting that while there has been such a push towards evidence-based
practice, there has been far less emphasis on evidence-based service delivery
and management? For example, there is much more research on how to treat an
individual patient with diabetes than how to run a good diabetic service for a
population. The NHS is implementing a huge programme of change. Clinical staff
are taking on new roles - expanding their horizons towards shaping services for
populations. They are getting more involved in management. The need for
excellence in management and service delivery has never been greater.
Evidence
about management it is not easy to find. In the absence of hard evidence,
wouldn't it be helpful to find out how others in the NHS have tried to
improve a service - and be able to learn from their experience? For example, to
help Primary Care Groups across the country learn from each other about how
they are tackling a common priority, like managing emergency admissions.
The
service is buzzing with good ideas and experiments in service delivery. The
challenge is to spread information about them, to learn from the best, and to
develop the management skills on which they are based. The NHS Learning Network
aims to do just this. Spreading good practice in service delivery is the main
objective of the NHS Learning Network. It has four main elements:
- Supporting intelligence - providing information and evidence about service delivery solutions.
- Learning Centres - providing opportunities for people to learn from one another.
- Management Training - strengthening the core knowledge base of management in the NHS and increasing access to training for clinical staff.
- Leadership - developing clinical and non-clinical leaders.
Supporting intelligence
A
National Database of Service Delivery Practice is being piloted in a newly
developed ‘Learning Zone' on the NHS Web. The database is designed
for NHS staff to enter and search for examples of good practice in service
delivery. For example, details of all Beacon Services will be available.
Information will also held about learning opportunities. You can search the
database provided you have access to the NHS Web - and you can enter
information. More details about the database are provided in HSC 1999 110.
A
national NHS Management Forum is being set up to review promising new
management interventions and to encourage their evaluation. We will ensure that
you hear about the results of these evaluations.
Two
new NHS R&D programmes have been launched which could add to the
evidence-base for service delivery and management. These are the Service
Delivery and Organisation Programme and the new Human Resources R&D
programme.
ImpAct
is
part of this ‘supporting intelligence'. It is being funded to
report on examples of good practice in service delivery - identified through
the database or otherwise.
Learning centres
We
are funding the setting up of Learning Centres, one to each Region, to
encourage hands-on practical learning about good practice in service
delivery. These will be NHS organisations which have, either:
♦ attempted
a significant change to service delivery and management and a track record in
telling others about it; or
♦ significant
skills in encouraging peer group learning on service delivery issues.
Management training
We
are reviewing management training opportunities for NHS staff. Our aims are to
strengthen the content and evidence-base of existing training (influenced by
other elements of the Learning Network) and to increase access to training for
clinical staff (for example through the Learning Centres).
Leadership
Developing
effective leaders in the NHS is a priority. We are looking at ways of building
on the strengths of current programmes, such as the NHS Leadership Development
Programme for Chief Executives, the work of the British Association of Medical
Managers, and nurse leadership training.
Progress
We
have made a good start. Browse the Database - search it to find examples
useful to you, and network with colleagues! Go and visit a
‘Beacon'. Look out for news of your region's Learning
Centres. Ask your local education and training representative, or Regional
Office, about opportunities to sharpen up your management skills.
But,
this is just the beginning. Through
ImpAct
and
in other ways we will keep you in touch with progress.
Jennifer
Dixon
NHS
Executive
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