In the same NHS Providers report they also argue that what the heath service needs now is greater realism, flexibility and support – luckily the AHCM conference provided a large dose of all three. Continue reading
Recruiting nurses is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS right now.Nursing staff are the backbone of our organisation and recruiting the right number is absolutely vital in the safe running of caring and effective modern hospitals. NHS Trusts across the country are grappling with a national shortage of nurses, a huge demand for more trained staff and the continual need to recruit as people drop out of the workforce or retire. Continue reading
In a week that saw most people coming to terms with the trauma of Bake Off, it was very much a case of baking as I headed into the 32 degree furnace of a supposedly Autumnal London for the latest NHS Providers get together.This was the first of a new style of network meeting that aimed to focus on a single, strategic issue with the speakers looking at it from various different angels. Continue reading
However it was well worth the trip from Newcastle, as healthcare communicators from across the UK came together to hear the latest trends from across the NHS.
Here’s my take on some of the key lessons from the day:
#1 Some leadership insight from an inner city GP
“Cover bands can’t change the world, but there’s nothing new invented under the sun,” said Dr Nick Harding. It’s that unique blend of vision, delivery and understanding the reality on the ground that will determine the success or failure of our work. Continue reading
So what hope do we have as communicators when to comes to engaging with people around difficult and often controversial change programmes?
To help answer that NHS Confederation hosted an event earlier this week bringing together some excellent speakers to look at the issue of communicating change across the health sector (you can see details here). Continue reading
Joining the NHS as a complete layman has certainly been an education, especially when working in an area where you’re expected to know a lot about everything that happens.
One thing that I’ve found since joining the NHS last summer is that it’s a hugely varied and all encompassing role. I’ve been pretty lucky with the timings because I’ve been the lead on communicating two fairly major and unique new buildings for the NHS. Continue reading
In a week that most of the internet seemed to talking about THAT Tony Blair Christmas card, my mind went back to a time when the young pretender was the hottest ticket in town.
My own Blair experience was bookmarked first as a journalist in London in the early days of his second term as PM, and then as a PR back in Gateshead as his era limped to a close.
a day without OJ - A comms, digital & PR blog by Ross Wigham 