New Evidence on Management and Leadership

Although official records state that 3% of staff are managers, new research suggests that around a third of hospital staff have substantial managerial roles. Most of these managers occupy dual roles as clinicians and managers, but do not always get the training and support they need for their management role.

These hybrid managers may outnumber general managers by four to one – management capacity is more widely distributed than we thought. Many middle managers in healthcare are working in `extreme jobs’, characterised by long hours, fast pace and high intensity – over half of those surveyed in a new study believed their jobs to be unmanageable. Research confirms international evidence showing that organisations which achieve high levels of engagement with clinical (medical) staff are more likely to perform well – but levels of medical engagement vary considerably between healthcare organisations.

This report asks 5 key questions and also acts as an evidence digest on management and leadership.  It also responds to specific concerns about patient care and uncertainties surrounding the current role and nature of managers in the NHS.