Just to Let You Know

 

Last Friday I went to register with a GP, having recently moved house, and while there asked to see a doctor as I was short of breath. What happened next took what was left of my breath away. Immediate meeting with doctor, first test revealed a problem, while more tests ensued arrangements were made for me to see specialists in a cardiac unit, which I did that evening, and was admitted to hospital, a weekend of further tests and observations and now we know what’s going on. Every member of staff, from tea-makers to consultants was professional, caring, informative and kind. By day three of being in hospital I was wondering where the dead hand of the Department of Health was.

​

And then he came on to the ward. By the time he got to me I had heard his questions ??” he was conducting a patient survey. The first was the secretary of state’s ‘friends and family test’ (‘would you recommend this hospital to your friends?’) and the remainder were mostly of the ‘were people polite and caring?’ type. So when he got to me I gave him both barrels, even at the risk of putting my heart rate up. As well as pointing out how his survey would teach them nothing about the system, I pointed out that half the people in my ward had had to return to hospital because they had been sent home by the bed management brigade.

​

He shuffled off saying the hospital was in ‘special measures’ and I had had a special time.

​

So, as you may surmise, I am obliged to rest for an extended time. But the prognosis is good, I’ll be back!

In the meantime, two events that might interest you:

Health, where inter alia you will learn why it is that managing beds consumes more beds. The event is on Monday 24th March in Birmingham. For more information visit: https://www.vanguard-method.com/events/?story=36 or for a booking form, email Janice Mack at pr@vanguardconsult.co.uk

Locality, the most important work we have done in the public sector. The event is on Thursday 20th March in Birmingham. For more information and a booking form visit: https://www.vanguard-method.com/events/?story=38 or email Maria Brunning at office@vanguardconsult.co.uk

And on the news today: Too many people are turning up at A and E; the government’s response: blame the people. Breathtakingly ignorant.

Something new: A new website for those working in health and care services.

We’ve been gearing up in health and care for a couple of years now and thought that it was about time that we shared our insights and results, that’s why we’ve launched http://wellbeing.vanguard-method.com.

There’s a load of content, which explores the common (read misguided) views of the problems and ‘solutions’ at work in health and care today. There’s also our Vanguard in Wellbeing blog. Have a look, pass it on and let us know what you think.

Other forthcoming events from Vanguard:

​

From Austerity to Where? Rethinking the Local Government Budget Challenge
Tuesday 25th February 2014
Ely, Cambridgeshire
It is now recognised that local government is facing tough challenges, tougher than they have had to deal with before. What can you do when year on year service improvements are needed, as well as having to remain financially sustainable?

​

To find out more and for a booking form, visit: https://www.vanguard-method.com/events/?story=37

The Vanguard Method: Delivering Efficiency Beyond Imagination in your Organisation

A four-day programme
Tuesday 25th February, 4th, 11th & 18th March 2014 ??” Cardiff
Thursday 27th February, 6th, 13th & 20th March 2014 ??” Birmingham

The Vanguard Methodology challenges traditional management thinking and the way work is designed and managed in organisations. Vanguard’s four day course, designed to take Organisational Leaders who are systems thinking beginners straight into the work to learn about the waste in their organisation and how to remove it.

NB: The course requires delegates to study their own systems for up to a full day between each of the sessions

For a booking form, email Janice Mack at pr@vanguardconsult.co.uk or for further information about the four days visit: https://www.vanguard-method.com/events/?story=20

Process Mapping & Analysis

A one-day workshop from Vanguard Consulting
Dates for our next public workshops on Process Mapping and Analysis which are being held at the Buckingham Conference Centre, Villiers Hotel in Buckingham on:
Thursday 27th February 2014
Thursday 27th March 2014
Tuesday 29th April 2014

Vanguard’s most popular workshop provides comprehensive, straightforward guidance that takes the delegates step by step through how to define, map and analyse processes. It introduces delegates to simple practical and relevant tools that will help them to engage people and keep them focused on activity that will lead to improvements in efficiency and service to customers.

​

For a booking form or further information regarding the content of the workshop, please contact Maria on e-mail office@vanguardconsult.co.uk

One Day Introduction to the Vanguard Method

Thursday 23rd January 2014 at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff
Thursday 30th January 2014 at The Oriel Hotel, St Asaph, Denbighshire
This event is designed for public, private and third sector senior leaders and will be presented by a Vanguard Wales expert who has a detailed knowledge of redesigning services.

Further information https://www.vanguard-method.com/events/?story=19

​

For a booking form contact Janice Mack at pr@vanguardconsult.co.uk