Some 9000 GP practices across 303 Primary Care Trusts are now able to key in their performance data to NHS Net, the health service intranet, and get a rapid response on their performance. The new GP contract introduced in April provides a payment for quality outcomes and the online system calculates the payment due. Under the new contract up to 30% of new money for individual practices depends on the care doctors deliver. This is separated into clinical conditions they treat, such as heart disease and the advice they gave patients, such as how to stop smoking.The system verifies the data input locally and automatically updates the performance report. This then allows the practice to compare the actual care delivered with the projected care.
The Department of Work and Pensions has found that front line staff who work in high performing Housing Benefit Offices of local councils prefer their managers to have a steady management style rather than that of a strong visionary driver. They want their managers to be “on top of the detail” and meticulous so they can provide advice and give them support. This trait also provides comfort for senior managers who want to be assured the service is in safe hands.Other qualities staff admire in their managers are an open listening style, getting the best from others, humour and a refusal to suffer fools. Staff also look to their managers to set an example for “integrity”, “honesty” and “trust” and it is by these values that they are enthused and motivated to perform at the higher levels. Staff at middle and junior management levels tend to find it difficult relating to high level corporate values.
Read more on LOCAL GOVERNMENT STILL NEEDS ‘SAFE PAIR OF HANDS’ MANAGERS…
Moving from a provider driven structure with departments working in silos to a customer focused organisation providing a joined up service is a major challenge. This level of transformation means re-thinking how to meet customer need and re-engineering processes so that the wealth of the organization’s knowledge is brought to the fingertips of the customer advisors. This feature describes how Luton Borough Council is making the transformation.