The Changing NHS

According to the Health Service Journal, David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, recently set out 5 priorities for Primary Care Trusts(registration required to view). These are:

1. Leadership and engagement in and with the local community
2. Accountability
3. Having a more business like approach (whatever that means- answers on a postcard please!)
4. Being data driven
5. Having an ambitious strategy

This little list could keep me in posts for a month, but I was particularly struck by the first priority, because it reminded me about Open Space. I first came across Open Space when Barbara Bunker and Billie Alban included it as one of eleven Large Group Event (LGE) methodologies described in their book Large Group Interventions: Engaging the Whole System for Rapid Change

Many NHS organisations have since used Open Space Technology to help them ‘engage with stakeholders’ – though usually via  one-off events rather than as a way of democratising decision making and getting work done on an ongoing basis. If you’re thinking of using Open Space read Open Space Technology: A Users Guide. Also go to Open Space World for great resources and tips.

Within the NHS, Open Space has become the most widely used of the LGE methods. Probably because:

a) It’s relatively easy to do – for example no content preparation is necessary;

b) Participants enjoy it – people enjoy the freedom to self-organise and the energy levels are usually very high; and

c) Managers see it as an ideal method for getting something started with a ‘bang’ (we do a lot of getting things started in the NHS!).

Last week I came across a really interesting development. Gabriela Ender has created a really clever online collaboration version of Open Space that can be 'rented’ by the hour!

Initially I was sceptical, but then I took the tour (available top left of page) and was very impressed. This online version could be great for international collaboration and for ongoing collaboration when community members already have good levels of trust established.

Perhaps the online version is a tool that NHS Foundation Trusts can use to keep engaged with their members?

Perhaps PCTs can use it to help managers engage on an ongoing basis with various public and clinical communities in-order to generate and implement ambitious strategies – addressing two of Mr Nicholson’s five priorities at the same time!

Steve

www.stevepashley.co.uk