Networks are increasingly important in addressing many of the challenges we face across health and care. I first started to realise the power of networks about ten years ago. At the time, I had been recruited by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to manage a research project to study how network approaches could be used to improve […]
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Leadership for what? by Brigid Russell
I am struggling with what leadership development in health and care is really for. While it might seem risky for someone who ‘delivers’ leadership development to admit to such a struggle, I want to share some critical questions I have about the purpose of leadership and how we approach its development. So, my first […]
Are doctors leading many of ‘World’s Best Hospitals’ in 2021 by Amanda Goodall and Toby Houston-Sime
We all love to hate rankings. But we also love to use them, whether we are purchasing a hair dryer or health care. Media outlets know this, which is why US news magazine Newsweek launched an annual ranking of the World’s Best Hospitals. Rankings are problematic for many reasons, but mainly because they create perverse […]
What have I learnt from Oliver’s story by Jim Thomas and Paula McGowan
Jim Thomas On my bookshelves there is a book titled Psychotherapy and Mental Handicap, the title of the book made me cringe when it came out in 1992. Thankfully and rightly we have now mainly moved past using those sorts of old-fashioned descriptions, but when I got beyond the title I found there were a […]
When the cupcakes are not enough. The case for improving delirium awareness through involving all carers by Shibley Rahman
I like cupcakes a lot, but photos of them on Twitter in support of “World Delirium Awareness Day” today will not effect the change we need to see in delirium care. How can this change actually take place? I believe strongly that organisations should primarily look beyond their immediate organisation, and include family carers in […]
What has Fluffy got to do with integration? by Jim Thomas
My favourite character in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books is Fluffy, the three headed dog. Now Fluffy might not have a lot to say and Fluffy’s part is small. But Fluffy stands in the way of Harry, Hermione and Ron in their quest. The only way to get past Fluffy is to play him music. […]
So what might men leaders do on, and after, International Women’s Day? by Tony Berendt
My BMJ Leader Editorial Board colleague Aoife Molloy has just posted a superb blog concluding with the simple challenge: “What are you going to do?” What are you going to do? by Aoife Molloy – The official blog of BMJ Leader. She poses the question on International Women’s Day, when – thank goodness – there […]
What are you going to do? by Aoife Molloy
In a team meeting recently, we were trouble shooting how to tackle working better together. I was surprised, and disappointed, when the first suggestion was that the reason we were facing challenges wasn’t anything to do with fear of conflict, lack of trust, inattention to results or any of the other dysfunctions of a team…it […]
‘I haven’t a clue what you are talking about’ and other things we need to start saying in healthcare by David Haslam
It certainly made me chuckle. These days, my surgical colleague would have got into all sorts of trouble for writing it, but as a clinic letter from a consultant to a GP it could not have been more to the point. “Dear David”, he wrote, “Lump gone. Pain gone. Patient gone”. Correspondence like that has […]
Leading towards a mentally healthier world by Dr Tim Ojo
Today, the 10th of October, is World Mental Health Day. It is the day we are encouraged to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate against social stigma surrounding mental health issues. Considering the state of the world now, it is perhaps more important than it has ever been to highlight the need for […]