NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson has announced the full membership of the National Leadership Council (NLC), which brings together experienced leaders to champion and challenge the development of high-quality leadership through-out the NHS.
The NLC includes more than 40 leading figures from healthcare, business and the public sector. Mr Nicholson, who will chair the NLC, said he was delighted by the breadth of talent and experience that the members, patrons and fellows bring.
“Leadership is the vital ingredient that can make all the difference to the quality of care that our patients experience,” Mr Nicholson said. “Great leadership, which focuses on improving services for patients, will help transform the NHS.”
He added: “We want to improve the overall quality of our leaders, equipping them with the skills to make our vision a reality. I am looking forward to working with this fantastic group of people from such a diverse range of backgrounds to help build a strong culture of leadership in the NHS.”
The NLC has been established as a result of a commitment set out in Lord Darzi’s strategy for the future of the NHS and has been created after consultation with the NHS and leadership experts.
Its immediate focus will be on strengthening clinical leadership, board development, top leaders, inclusion and emerging leaders, and the NLC will have a champion for each of these areas.
The NLC will have 25 core members and five patrons – renowned leadership experts brought in to bring an “external perspective” – who will focus on bringing world-class leadership and leadership development to every level in the NHS. It will also draw on the expertise of a Faculty of Fellows, which is being created to support the NLC.
Regulators and NHS managers will be represented, including the Care Quality Commission Chief Executive, Cynthia Bower, Monitor Executive Chair, Bill Moyes, and NHS Confederation Chief Executive, Steve Barnett (pictured).
Patron Greg Dyke (Director General of the BBC between 2000–2004) said: “This is an exciting initiative at a critical moment. Leadership is at the heart of the NHS. I look forward to making a contribution and ensuring that we deliver results that inspire confidence from all within and outside the NHS.”
