Health Foundation seeks leaders for improvement to keep quality on the health agenda

The Health Foundation is today launching a major initiative to develop inspirational leaders in UK healthcare who can transform services during a testing new era.

The independent health improvement charity is recruiting 18 participants to its innovative GenerationQ leadership programme.

Dynamic individuals, who will already be working in healthcare or the voluntary sector at a senior level, will get the chance to become expert leaders, applying best practice in techniques for improving quality.

They will undertake Masters-level study while working to improve their own organisations and change health systems to deliver more effective care.

They will also work with the Health Foundation beyond the life of the programme to promote healthcare improvement activity more widely and keep it high on the policy agenda.

Jo Bibby, Director of Improvement Programmes at the Health Foundation, said the programme was ‘unique’ in the way it developed leaders with the skills and insights to transform healthcare.

She said, ‘Healthcare is changing rapidly and becoming increasingly complex. This programme helps leaders to respond to uncertainties and challenges, such as the changes now happening in the NHS.

‘This is a major learning opportunity for talented people working in the NHS, independent or voluntary sectors, on any aspect of healthcare from policy development to clinical practice.’

The GenerationQ programme was launched in 2010 specifically to develop leaders for a purpose –quality improvement – and to be relevant to everyday practice in healthcare.

The programme develops leaders’ knowledge of improvement tools, methodologies and techniques and their ability to interact with colleagues to apply their knowledge effectively. This emphasis on both ‘technical’ and ‘relational skills’ distinguishes it from other leadership development models. 

This approach is based on evidence of what works best to improve healthcare quality effectively.

GenerationQ is delivered by the Health Foundation’s programme partners Ashridge Consulting and Unipart Expert Practices.

Almost 100 people applied to join the first cohort of GenerationQ which started in 2010. Successful participants included doctors, managers, allied health professionals, policy-makers and people from patient representative organisations.

Seamus Logan, who works for the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Board as Assistant Director of Performance Management and Service Improvement, is nearly half-way through the 18-month programme.

He said, ‘GenerationQ gives a strong foundation in service improvement methodologies and the depth of training is fantastic.

‘I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to take on a leadership role and anyone who is responsible for service improvement.’

Fleur Taylor is Assistant Director for Practice Based Commissioning with NHS Lincolnshire.

She said she would urge other commissioners, including GPs on new commissioning consortia to apply in 2011.

‘It’s the best journey as a leader you will go on. I’m really passionate about leadership anyway but it’s been like switching a light on. It’s not only benefiting me but my organisation and will ultimately benefit patients which is really important because that is what it’s all about.’

Jo Bibby said, ‘We need new leaders such as these more than ever - people who can apply quality improvement techniques and deliver more effective services across organisations, systems and are pathways, improving patient care and delivering better value for money.’