‘Government is trying to achieve too much, too fast’, MiP chief tells delegates

 MiP chief executive Jon Restell addresses delegates at the 2010 MiP conference

The fourth Managers in Partnership (MiP) national conference took place on Wednesday 24 November 2010 at the Congress Centre in central London. With the theme of 'Good Management in a Cold Climate', the day was chaired by TV and radio broadcaster Jenni Murray and speakers included Department of Health (DH) parliamentary under-secretary of state Lord Howe. In conversation with Murray, NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson and Chris Ham, chief executive of the Kings Fund, discussed some of the challenges and opportunities currently faced by healthcare managers. There were also activity sessions and panel discussions, providing delegates with the chance to network and engage in debate.

In his speech to conference, MiP chief executive Jon Restell told delegates that with demand for healthcare services currently outweighing resources, deep cuts to management budgets - alongside the Government's White Paper - threaten to create a "perfect storm" of challenges for health service managers.

Restell said: "Our chief concern at the moment is that the Government is trying to achieve too much, on too many fronts, too fast. We believe that staff and the public share our priorities for the health service: financial stability, savings and the quality of services. Both the White Paper reforms and the management cost reductions should be carefully considered - and if necessary re-considered - in light of how they meet these priorities. If you haven't got the people to do the job, the job won't get done.

"The impending upheaval has created an opportunity for us to grab the bull by the horns and control the way change happens...It's time to replace the old power tussle between managers and doctors with a partnership - a partnership that enables a multi-professional team of healthcare professionals to take control of local health services".

More information on the conference can be found on the Managers in Partnership website.

Department of Health parliamentary under-secretary of state, Lord Howe, speaks at the 2010 MiP conference