Clinical Leadership Priorities

Leadership Framework

The generic Clinical Leadership Competency Framework (CLCF) is being developed and will be the foundation of leadership development. Engagement with other clinical bodies is a continuing priority and a commitment from these bodies to embed the framework into their curricula will be required.  In addition, we are developing this to include key elements of the Leadership Qualities Framework (LQF) resulting in the production of one framework applicable across the entire service.

Accreditation Framework

Hundreds of leadership development programmes are running across the regions costing millions of pounds each year.  This demonstrates a commitment we give as a system both regionally and nationally to developing the leadership population.  The reality is we have no measures in place to ensure these programmes are consistent, are delivered to the highest standard available, are relevant, leading edge, will raise the bar and are contributing to the leadership culture we need within the NHS. 

Accredition of our leadership programmes will raise the bar, set the highest standards and kite mark the NHS with the best.  We are committed to creating and embedding the accreditation framework into under and postgraduate education (pre and post registration). Phase 1 will see the mapping of all undergraduate education to the accreditation framework and the development of the accreditation process for providers of leadership development and individuals at first and middle management level.

The outcome of this work is a process which assures the quality of leadership capability which is intrinsically linked to the work of ‘Assuring the quality of NHS managers’.  We are developing a coherent accreditation and regulation process for the service and other stakeholders to make sure they are at the same level.  This will help legitimise leadership for clinicians and help towards attracting and increasing the numbers into leadership positions.  It will ensure the highest and consistent standards of leadership programmes are delivered across the service, it will enable us to recognise leaders whose impact positivley improves patient outcomes, service level and productivity.  Finally, it will provide incentives to leaders to lead for results, through the acquisition of a nationally recognised accreditation.

Curricula Development

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has engaged with clinical professions to gain a commitment from each clinical professional body to embed the leadership framework into their curricula. In addition, we will identify those organisations that need support in this and will work with them to influence and embed the curricula changes.  We will work with the regulatory bodies to ensure there is a robust methodology for assuring the quality of curricula content and the evaluation methodology and where possible, ensure this is built into national assurance processes such as revalidation.

NLC Clinical Leadership Fellowship Programme

The NLC Clinical Leadership Fellows Programme announced by the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, in May is now open for applications.  We are seeking support from senior NHS colleagues to provide access to development opportunities and/or mentoring as required.  A robust evaluation will be conducted with particular emphasis on service delivery outcomes alongside personal development.

Attracting Clinicians to Leadership

We are working with key research institutions and NHS colleagues to further understand the particular barriers to clinicians being attracted to leadership positions. This will include both the developmental and financial support required. These proposals will be presented to the NLC with recommendations for further action.