A new generation of leaders win places on leadership programmes to improve healthcare quality

The Health Foundation’s new leadership programme GenerationQ, aims to embed a new culture of quality improvement in healthcare by identifying evidence and ideas for providers and commissioners of leadership development.

The 18 participants are all from diverse healthcare settings and represent all four countries of the UK. They are from varied backgrounds such as the National Health Service, patient organisations and the health policy field and are all senior leaders in their organisations.

Abigail Masterson and Pippa Gough, Assistant Directors, the Health Foundation, said, ‘We want to congratulate the 18 very committed participants that have been selected for this programme. Through a unique and challenging programme of leadership and improvement skills development, they will be able to enhance their organisation's capability for quality improvement. A key feature of the programme will be how to share effectively the learning with colleagues – we aim to help foster a culture in healthcare where quality is at the top of everyone’s agenda.'

The right leadership is critical to the transformation of health services. By simultaneously developing leadership potential while improving the quality of care provided, the Health Foundation is developing leaders who can enhance their organisations’ capacity and capability for quality improvement.

GenerationQ is being run by a partnership between Ashridge Consulting and Unipart Expert Practices, and will create skilled and effective leaders for quality improvement by providing interventions which are effective and grounded in leadership development and improvement science best practice.

The fully funded 18-month programme focuses on a unique combination of leadership development and improvement science in the context of the real day-to-day situations and challenges of the UK health system.

The award holders' commitment to personal learning and development will involve an integrated set of activities including leadership forums, workshops and one to one coaching. They will also learn with a group of experienced peers in a highly supportive and challenging environment.

Janet Smallwood, Ashridge Consultant added: 'We’re delighted to be working with the Health Foundation and Unipart on this project and look forward to helping develop some tangible outcomes for the healthcare professionals as well as adding to leadership knowledge within the healthcare sector.'

• Read about the GenerationQ 2010 participants