4 June - NHS Non-Executive Directors webinar

This week’s session opened in conversation with Jo Lucas, non-executive director at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

Jo said: “For me the issue about outcome measures is that they’re actually not there. We have all sorts of surveys and nowhere in there is an identified form of whether the people that use our services are happy with them. Are the services we’re providing what they want and what they need? Nothing tells me that.

“We need to take a multi-pronged approach. We need to recognise that 10 years ago finance was the only thing we focused on, and we need to shift this thinking and understand that finance is now one of a few things that we should always take into consideration – as well as, for example, sustainability. It’s acknowledging that history and getting to where we are now and shifting the focus.

“It’s also about how clinical outcomes have been measured for a long time, the bit that is missing is what patients want, what helps them recover and supports their families and we need to think about our input into the community to address inequalities there. We know this trajectory of addressing inequalities is true so let’s look at that and decide where on that path the NHS can have the most influence and change things.”

Also overheard during today’s webinar:

“On our risk registers, we think about what our risk appetite and our risk tolerance is. We don't do that in relation to inequalities. Despite motherhood and apple pie aspiration towards full equality, there is rarely discussion as to what level of change for all that would require to achieve. We make sweeping assumptions that all people want the same thing and are prepared to take the steps to give effect to that. It’s a very important point to consider, as we all are looking to what outcomes will help us measure reductions in inequalities. We need to aim higher than reducing disparity in mortality.”

“Patient reported measures start with listening to what matters to people, not what we want or are required to ask. Questions and surveys can get in the way. We need to find different ways for people to engage and triangulate what we see and hear.”

“Outcomes work in the third sector starts with teams conceptualising what changes they are trying to achieve, then asking users questions based on the changes. Ideas around intermediate outcomes for those with complex or long-term issues come into play, and also unexpected outcomes, which is about humility.”

These meetings are by invitation and are open to all NHS non-executives directors, chairs and associate non-executive directors of NHS providers. Others may attend by special invitation. For further details, visit our events pages.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about these webinars, please contact: events@good-governance.org.uk