• In support of evidence-based management and research-informed HRD through HRD professional partnerships: an empirical and comparative study

      Hamlin, Robert G. (Routledge (Taylor & Francis), 2002)
      This article describes a programme of practice-grounded empirical management research set within an NHS Trust Hospital in the UK that was conducted as part of an HRD Professional Partnership of the kind advocated by Jacobs (1997). The research was concerned with identifying the criteria of managerial effectiveness at the middle and front-line levels of management using critical incident technique and factor analytic methods. The results are compared against those from an equivalent partnership research study carried out previously by the author within one part of the British Civil Service, namely the Anglia Collection of HM Customs & Excise. The findings lend support to the notion of the 'universally effective manager', and provide empirical support for the potential development of evidence-based and research-informed approaches to management and human resource development within the case-study NHS Trust Hospital, and possibly beyond.
    • Linking reflective practice to evidence of competence: a workshop for allied health professionals

      Cross, Vinette; Liles, Clive; Conduit, Jacky; Price, Janet (Taylor & Francis, 2004)
      Under new regulation requirements for Allied Health Professionals in the UK, maintenance of professional registration is linked to evidence of competence through continuing professional development. This paper reports on the outcomes of a multi-professional workshop for Allied Health Professionals working in one National Health Service Trust. The aim of the workshop was to help practitioners from different health professions understand and implement the process of reflective practice and link their learning to evidence of competence using a common framework. The workshop demonstrated that collectively, Allied Health Professionals in the Trust are taking advantage of a range of opportunities for informal practice-based learning, and was helpful in enabling practitioners move from a factual to a more critical level of reflective thinking. The outcomes suggest that a common framework within which Allied Health Professionals can reflect on their practice and facilitate their own CPD, as well as demonstrate continuing competence to a variety of stakeholders, is realistic and workable.
    • Private Finance Initiative in the Healthcare Sector: Trends and Risk Assessment

      Akintoye, Akintola; Chinyio, Ezekiel A. (Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., 2005)
      Abstract: Purpose – The UK Government has now adopted Private Finance Initiative (PFI) as a major vehicle for the delivery of additional resources to the health sector in order to achieve a greater investment in healthcare facilities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the trends and risk assessment of the PFI in the healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employed secondary data and interviews of key participants in two hospital PFI projects to highlight developments in healthcare PFI and the risk management of hospital projects. Findings – The results show that the use of PFI in the provision of healthcare is increasing in terms of number, capital value and size of projects. What emerged in the healthcare PFI project was a usage of a plethora of risk management techniques, albeit to varying degrees. Experience appeared to be the prime risk assessment technique employed, while risk avoidance was first explored before pricing and allocating any residual risks. “Risk prompts”, such as using checklists and risk registers were also useful in the identification of risks. Among all participants, insurance cover and sub-contracting appear to be the most prominent strategies employed for managing out the risks. Originality/value – The negotiations that precede the signing of a healthcare PFI project contract had an impact on the final choice of facilities or their specifications. The two contracting parties sought a balance between an optimal allocation of risks, choice of facilities and project price. Although the risk management techniques being used are generic in nature, there is still no evidence at the moment to show that these are appropriate for PFI projects. It is important that further investigation is undertaken to assess the level of current skills in risk management techniques to deal with PFI projects and the extent to which these techniques are appropriate to tackle complex healthcare PFI projects. (Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.)