NHS needs to widen search for best leaders

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has emphasised that barriers need to be broken down to give the NHS the future leaders it requires.

Following the publication of Sir Ron Kerr’s review into empowering leaders in the NHS, Hancock spoke at the King’s Fund and urged NHS leaders to create a culture where their staff feel safe to speak out about mistakes, and where everyone understands the benefits of using new technology in healthcare.

On the topic of NHS leadership, the Health and Social Care Secretary also discussed the need to improve diversity in NHS leadership, reiterating the government’s commitment earlier this year to make black, Asian and minority ethnic representation in senior leadership match that across the rest of the NHS by 2020.

Hancock said: “I welcome what’s happening inside the NHS with the new Clinical Executive Fast Track scheme, the expansion of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, and the Leadership Academy moving to NHS Improvement. We need to equip staff all across the NHS with the right skills to constantly innovate and continuously realise the benefits that technology such as genomics, AI and digital medicines will provide. That starts with the right skills and capability in management and leadership.”