Working in the NHS- is it the worst job in the world?

The NHS should be such a positive place to work! The NHS is a force for good. The NHS attracts great people who really CARE ABOUT THEIR work. So why is it that so many people mutter to me “this is the worst place to work in the world”, “welcome to the NHS” in a droll voice and even, inscribed in the gents toilets, some rather obscene statements!	Image Source
It’s so easy to see why;  working for the NHS can be a bruising experience. Does the following ring a bell? Local BBC news interviewing your CEO about latest sensational incidents Andrew Lansley announcing more reforms and changes CEO announcing more redundancies and cuts More cut backs on expenses and travel More red tape More pressure to “perform better” with absolutely NO SUPPORT Who is supporting the NHS? Sometimes it doesn’t look like anyone is. Well we believe that despite all this you can build fantastic, high performing and motivated teams and make the NHS THE BEST PLACE TO WORK! We also believe that as a manager you can, sometimes with a little help, get your team to where you want to be, quickly! I have been doing some work in the NHS recently. I thought it is rare to talk about SUCCESSFUL TEAMS and that it would be a nice change to read about what a good team like this looks like. My top 10 characteristics of a high performing NHS team The team actively support each other. They are patient and understanding. They listen to each other and they work with each other. They are empathetic to each other’s stresses, needs and priorities. They take pride in solving the problems themselves and presenting the finished result. They recognise the value of good quality of work. Each one of them knows their place in the team and do the best job they can. The team truly understand the concept of management by exception. That is to say, they enjoy their autonomy, but always call me when they have a problem they can’t solve. The team get great recognition from all levels of the organisation. Senior directors have been encouraged, and do willingly, provide praise to the team by email, pop by for a quick chat. Their great work is published around the Trust. Clarity and purpose. I sometimes wonder what my role in the team is anymore (I’m their project manager). In reality they know what they need to do so well that they just do it. They understand their role, the purpose of their work. Responsibility. The team are aware of the responsibility that they have for quality of patient care and to the morale and satisfaction of 4000 staff in the Trust. This is unusual considering they are an Information Management team! They know that good quality work completed on time benefits everyone. The team is organised and understands the value of organisation-  they have weekly performance meetings and each one prepares a report describing work completed (so everyone understands progress and gets recognition from doing great work), work planned for next week (so everyone can synchronise) and new issues and risks. They succeed! They meet their deadlines which lifts their confidence and belief in themselves. They more confident they are the better they become, which in turn leads to greater confidence! Passion. They believe in what they are doing and know that it is right for the Trust. This pushes them through the challenges they face. Communication- related to my organisation and support points- they phone, email, document, meet and talk. This helps them to understand each other in so much more detail and in turn helps them to support and trouble shoot all the more quickly. All teams in the NHS can be like this. All teams can be motivated, meet their targets, be confident and be happy. It is so sad to see so much neglect and insecurity around the NHS and IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS!!!
Drop me, Tim, aka one of The Frank Boys, an email now at tim.gray@thefrankboys.com if you would like to talk! And for a better way take a look at the Frank Project Management Office.

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