An essential first step in leading innovation and change across our PCN is to understand what exactly we mean by it, especially in a health and care context. The everchanging landscape across health and care brings with it pressures on our system, our organisations and our partnership to change the way we do things.
The phrase ‘new ways of working’ is now mentioned in most national policies, articles and research, but what exactly do we mean by ‘new’? Is it a small incremental change to a process? Is it a transformational change at system level? Is is something we have done before or is it completely innovative? What are the implications? and the list of questions can continue…
So, what do we need to know about change and innovation? What do we need to have in place to enable it? If we are to bring transformation change and innovation across our PCN, some of the things we can start doing are:
Communicate – explain both the ‘WHAT’ and the ‘WHY’
Collaborate – bring people together and refuse to tolerate unhealthy competition
Commit – make sure your behaviours support change by offering aircover, being resilient and be willing to step outside the comfort zone
But what else? Unit 1 of Module 3 explores the context and enablers of change and transformation across health and social care, and prompts you to look at its various dimensions, from the narrative of change, your change-makers to the leadership required of you.