06.06.13
‘Optimism will carry us through’ – Farrar
The NHS Confederation Conference 2013 opened yesterday to a positive message from chief executive Mike Farrar, urging the NHS to look forward with optimism in spite of the challenges ahead.
He told delegates: “This is something we all have the ability to do – the power in all of us to be optimistic. It’s hard to do at times, when people talk about the problems that we face.
“If we’re not optimistic for the future, then we deserve to fail. Believing in the future of the health service is the starting point for so many of the problems that we face. That belief will carry us through.”
Farrar added: “I am absolutely convinced the NHS has got a bright and sustainable future.”
The conference also heard from Dr Steve Peters, for a fast and funny take on how an understanding of human psychology can change the way the NHS manages its workforce, and ran a number of informative break-out sessions on leadership, mental health and regulation.
Social media has a greater part this year than ever before, with Twitter Walls, Tweet-ups and discussions on how the health service can get the most from new technology. The conference hashtag is #nhsconfed13.
NHE is exhibiting on stand A47 and live-tweeting from @nhenews. For full coverage of the event, see the July/August edition of National Health Executive.
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