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NHS FUTURE FORUM – DID ‘LISTENING’ WORK? What do the NHS reforms really mean for the private sector?
original draft, and Commissioning Boards to include at least one nurse and one secondary care consultant.
Monitor, the regulatory body, to concentrate on protecting and promoting patient interests. Greater competition will only be introduced where it benefits patient care and choice.
Clinical “senates” consisting of senior medical professionals will oversee integration of NHS services across local areas.
MARCIA REID Managing director, Finchers Consulting
Marcia Reid has held senior roles at Bupa, HSA (now Simplyhealth) and Lorica Consulting (now Lorica Employee Benefits)
As the updated version of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s Health and Social Care Bill resumes its journey through Parliament, now is a good time to review the “pause, listen, reflect and improve” stage of the NHS reforms and assess the possible impact for the private sector. The NHS Future Forum has recommended changes in 60 clauses and six schedules of the Bill with the key elements outlined below:
GPs to be given less power than in the
Timescales for reform to be stretched. The deadline for hospitals to become Foundation Trusts is to be removed.
Some targets will now be retained, such as the 18 week limit on waiting lists and the four hour waiting limit in A&E.
A renewed commitment to ongoing training and professional development of clinical staff.
The Future Forum report reflected the general opposition to handing the lion’s share of power and budget to GPs. This has now been tempered with concessions to secondary care representatives and an acknowledgement that hospitals must take part in the commissioning process. The local clinical senates will, I believe, ensure a better chance for integrated care pathways and clear commissioning requirements. Clarity was needed regarding the role of the regulator
Monitor and the change in emphasis means that the body will not be performing a regulatory function similar to the Financial Services Authority, but will be judging when it
HOW TO BE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR
Communication is at the core of everything we do in business. If you think about your clients and colleagues, you can identify the effective communicators and those in need of guidance. So what makes a good communicator? These simple rules are equally applicable to the spoken or written word. Choose your method carefully Just
What makes a good communicator? These simple rules are equally applicable to the spoken or written word Don’t keep pushing against a closed
because email is easiest, it’s not always best. You can soften the blow of bad news (such as a high margin increase or mess up with a database!) with the personal touch of a phone call. You can always follow up with an email for a written record. Texting is fine for colleagues but has to be a no-no for clients. If you are planning a presentation, think about the audience. For small groups, a paper- based discussion document can be more intimate than a power point presentation. Listen! Communication is a two way street. If you listen to your audience or
HealthInsurance
read their emails carefully and respond accordingly they are far more likely to afford you the same courtesy. Pick your style to reflect your audience A discussion with a financial institution may be very different to one with an advertising agency. The corporate culture of an organisation is reflected in their communication style. If a formal approach is more appropriate – go for it. You should act as a mirror to your clients. I have one client who always prefers to do business face to face. Another client never really concentrates when I call him (surely I’m not that boring?) so I know he responds better to emails. Try to engage your audience at the outset State very
early in the communication what you are trying to achieve and why this conversation is taking place, and most important – what’s in it for them! That should hold their attention. Avoid jargon and colloquialisms It always amuses me
when sports journalists interview foreign stars (or even the English football coach!) using colloquial English. Use phrases or abbreviations only known in closed circles and you will be met with blank looks. And don’t overcomplicate things to try to impress. Communication only works well if all parties actually understand the information being disseminated.
door If your message is not getting across, rethink your strategy and change your means of communication. Use clear, confident business language
Be assertive without being aggressive and don’t over-apologise or cow-tow (unless, like with recent news events, an apology is essential!). Use short sentences (spoken or written). Anyone who has listened to John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister, speak will note that one becomes obsessed with when he will finally take a breath rather than concentrating on what he says! Be courteous and cautious Smile! And
if you are using written communication, remember that emails can be cut and pasted out of context so ensure that everything you say is unambiguous.
AND WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T SHOUT OR USE BOLD CAPITALS!! HI
www.hi-mag.com August 2011
is appropriate and cost effective to offer patients a choice of providers, including outsourcing to the private sector. One thing is clear – the Bill still
recommends far-reaching restructuring and the stringent budget requirements mean that 4% efficiency savings must be made annually for four years. As far as the health insurance industry
and private providers are concerned, I suspect that these amendments to the reforms will change very little. Opposition to privately funded competition has not persuaded the Coalition to abandon its best hope for achieving efficiency savings and improving patient choice so there are still real opportunities for existing and new contracts for private providers. In the context of compulsory savings, hospital trusts and GP consortia face a significant challenge to keep waiting times within target and patient choice is a Holy Grail that the NHS still struggles to deliver. Both very powerful reasons to purchase
health insurance and work with independent providers as a viable supplement to the state-funded service.HI
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