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Will the NHS forge a new future?

Much has been written across the media over the last few days about the challenge facing Simon Stevens as he started his new job as Chief Executive of NHS England this week.

There are lots of “to do” lists being drawn up by informed commentators; and timescales set out as to when they must be delivered.

There is no doubt that there is a great a deal to do, but I don’t see too many people coming up with actual answers. Change is not an option, but when your predecessor outlines in an article in The Guardian a long lists of reasons why change is “blocked” by “powerful poorly co-ordinated parts of the (NHS) system”, it’s not exactly offering too much in the way of assistance.

Simon has plenty of support, he has an ideal background in terms of political connections, the intellectual capability and charismatic personality that is required. The acid test though will come from his ability to ensure that everybody within the NHS is completely patient focused.

There are parallels with the commercial world; for example, within BT, previously an institutionalised organisation displaying many of the bureaucratic traits of public sector organisations. Steve Robertson, then the dynamic CEO of BT OpenReach turned this struggling division into a cutting edge, future shaping business who succeeded in developing informal leaders and ensuring everyone within the organisation is given a voice.

There is absolutely no doubt that happy and valued front line staff have a positive impact on customers which in the case of the NHS are of course, patients. In turn, patients who have received the best possible care and attention are less likely to return to hospital and therein lies the cost savings that the NHS so desperately needs in order to survive.

There is no doubt in my mind that top of the to do list is staff engagement, and the private sector, whether it’s the likes of John Lewis or Pret a Manger can shine a light on how to achieve this.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tyzack Partners .