Top tip for anyone who is invited to give a ‘friendly, community feel presentation,’ if the context is 50 suited and booted healthcare professionals sat around tables in the imposing grandeur of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists main hall, there is nothing ‘friendly and community feel’ about it!!
However, it was fantastic to be given the opportunity by the Health Foundation to present our learning from the development of our Cardiovascular Network, at their inaugural Network Leadership Forum. It was even better to hear about their research into what makes an effective network. As we are constantly promoting the need for evidence based clinical practice, everyone can be reassured that we also recognise the need for our Network to be effective in line with the evidence too.
For anyone else who is interested, the Health Foundation has confirmed the design features of effective networks are:
· Shared purpose and identity
· Addresses big issues / has a compelling purpose
· Meets members needs
· Adapted leadership
· Strong relationships and ties
· Generates helpful outputs
Probably no surprises with any of this but as the NHS Commissioning Board is investing heavily in networks (Academic Health Science Networks and Strategic Clinical Networks) in supporting the achievement of outcome ambitions for patients, it is good to know what works!
And for further information I could highly recommend checking out the Health Foundation’s website where further information, on the network programme, can be found.
