Inspirational leaders
BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e3062 (Published 03 May 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e3062- Kathy Oxtoby, freelance journalist
- kathyoxtoby{at}blueyonder.co.uk
Motivational and inspirational leaders can encourage clinical teams to achieve real service improvements. But to transform services they will face challenges, such as budgetary constraints and resistance to change.
The four finalists for the BMJ Group award for clinical leader have not only overcome obstacles to bring about change but can also show a measurable improvement in patient care.
Jon Cardy, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Before Jon Cardy became clinical director for accident and emergency services at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in 2011, the department had failed year on year to meet national quality standards. But within a month of his taking on this post, his department achieved a dramatic improvement across a range of measures of quality performance, hitting and maintaining the number one position in the country on the four hour wait standard.
One of the challenges Cardy faced was that West Suffolk emergency department was designed to manage many fewer than half the number of patients that currently attend. He worked tirelessly on improving interdepartmental cooperation and enhancing patient flow by gaining hospital-wide support to improve …
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