Response to Matt Hancock’s speech on leadership

The Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM) welcomes the speech by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, yesterday (28 November).

The speech by Matt Hancock MP highlighted a range of measures to improve leadership and management in the NHS, and launched Sir Ron Kerr’s review of NHS leadership which follows the publication of the FMLM review of the barriers facing clinicians moving into leadership positions, published by the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 November.

Commenting on the Secretary of State’s speech and the recent reviews, Mr Peter Lees, FMLM chief executive and medical director, said:

“This is a challenging time for management in the NHS with patients and healthcare staff needing the highest quality of leadership. However, financial, workforce and capacity pressures made worse by a blame culture are affecting the ability to attract and retain leaders from medical and clinical backgrounds; yet research evidence shows a positive association between clinical leadership and better quality.

“While we welcome the focus of the Secretary of State on this critical issue, we need to see a comprehensive approach to support current and future medical and healthcare leaders – something FMLM has independently advocated since its inception in 2011.

“FMLM’s review into the barriers and enablers for clinicians moving into leadership roles, published by the Secretary of State on 15 November, also points to the need for a clear career path for doctors and clinicians, as well as the need for dedicated support and development for those in or moving towards leadership roles. So, FMLM has launched an indicative undergraduate curriculum, endorsed by the GMC and others, for the early introduction of leadership and management training in the medical career, and has started to work with doctors to develop an effective medical career mapping tool.

“By improving medical and healthcare leadership we improve patient care.”