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Cross-boundary networking

Fiona Rodden, Business Manager for Leadership Development at NHS South of England (Central) and founder of Linking Leaders, the new network across boundaries in health and social care, explains why she set it up.

What do you want to be doing in five years’ time, and what are you doing right now to get there?”

I was asked this question by an inspirational colleague on one of my placements on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.

This question led to the birth of Linking Leaders, the new network for people passionate about collaborating across boundaries to improve care.

My experience in the NHS is that while we talk at length about the need for improved relations across professional, organisational and sectoral boundaries, we often don’t know where to start.

Many esteemed colleagues have spoken about the great value of a better-networked health service and sharing best practice and perspectives beyond our own professional communities.

On a personal level, I want more opportunities to spend time with clinicians, information specialists, social services, chief executives, patients – in short everyone. I think we might all make better decisions if we tapped in to other peoples’ expertise. The vast majority of those I speak to from all backgrounds do too. I saw the real benefit of cross-boundary working during my time on the NHS Graduate Management Training scheme.

The programme gave me the opportunity to work in several areas across the NHS such as elderly care in a busy acute hospital; interviewing GPs and system leaders on their views of the reforms at the King’s Fund; developing the post-transition strategy for a CCG.

The NHS looks very different from these different viewpoints. But how can everyone get this without spending two years (or more) moving around the system?

In October 2010 I had the idea of creating a network to allow health professionals to learn about aspects of healthcare they know little about, expand horizons and meet new people. After about a year of researching what would work best and securing support, I, together with colleagues in the NHS, launched Linking Leaders (www.linkingleaders.co.uk) in October 2011. The network combines an informationsharing forum, a network, national and local events and a professional contacts source.

It creates opportunities for people to come together for interactive, stimulating sessions, to share innovation, ideas and support. Our members work in very different settings but we all care passionately about improving care for patients and making things happen. We officially launched Linking Leaders in 2011, with support from NHS South of England.

Sir Muir Gray, Mike Farrar, Sir Bruce Keogh and Peter Lees gave inspirational talks on the future of leadership in healthcare. In the true style of Generation Y leaders it was a fastpaced, interactive and engaging event.

Fifteen experts from different fields spoke with small groups of members about innovations, new projects, policy matters and leadership skills.

If you want to make a difference, come and join a group of people passionate about improving care, spreading innovation and having a bit of fun at the same time.

Our next event, called ‘So you think you’re patient-centred’, is on June 15. Also, don’t miss our networking session at the NHS Confederation conference on June 23.

The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme is run by the NHS Leadership Academy as part of its drive to develop outstanding leadership in health. Visit www.nhsgraduates.co.uk for more information.

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