Three of Norfolk’s hospitals are looking at the idea of having just one Chief Executive and Chair.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn are looking at the idea, which is known as the Group Model.
What will it mean?
There will be a Group Board leading on policy and strategies, although each hospital will still have its own Board, Council of Governors, and be responsible for how it works operationally.
In the longer term, it aims to speed up key decisions and as a result, improve care for patients.
The hospitals say there would be no immediate changes to care and the only staff affected would be those working at an executive level.
Reaction
In a joint statement, the Chairs of all three trusts said: “A group model would strengthen the power of our collaboration, enabling us to optimise efficiency across our three hospitals while at the same time improving patient care and outcomes.
“It would enable us to share our resources more effectively meaning we could tackle the large-scale challenges we face with a single unified approach. At the same time, we will be able to continue our focus on healthcare that meets the specific needs of our local communities.”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, added: “The move towards a group model is an exciting step forward for our local healthcare system. By streamlining decision-making and strengthening collaboration, this change will help us to reduce variation in care, improve health outcomes, and make better use of resources. Most importantly, it will enable us to deliver more consistent, high-quality care for patients across Norfolk and Waveney.”
What improvements would this bring?
In a statement highlighting the proposal, four key areas are highlighted as where improvements could come through the Group Model:
· Delivering New Models of Care, with more people cared for in the community and an increased use of technology and innovation.
· The rapid delivery of Norfolk’s two new hospitals.
· Ensuring services are sustainable and that unwarranted variation in outcomes is eliminated across our hospitals.
· Easing the trusts’ financial challenges.
Time-scale
A finalised Case for Change for the proposed new system is expected to be brought before all three Boards and Governors in January 2025, which will then need approval from NHS England to ensure all appropriate planning and safeguards are in place for any change to happen.
The intention is to begin bringing in the Group Model with a single Chair and Chief Executive from 1 April 2025, but the timing of this will depend on the Trusts ability to satisfy any requirements from NHS England.
