Commenting on the news that ex Marks and Spencers chief, Stuart Rose, is being brought in by Jeremy Hunt to advise on improving the organisational culture of the NHS, Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“Leadership is of course important in any organisation and the NHS is no exception. UNISON has always called for best practice to be shared across the NHS, but the Government’s continued privatisation agenda and the cult of competition is the biggest barrier to achieving this goal.
“Instead of focusing on the cult of the individual, Jeremy Hunt would be better turning his attention to engaging with staff, patients and their families on how to improve NHS services. It is too easy to get caught up in so-called celebrity leaders and think they have all the answers. The NHS has already had its fair share of celebrities parachuted in with little effect.
“The truth is that the NHS is fundamentally different from the retail sector where customers can shop, when and where they like. Patients come to the NHS when they are at their lowest ebb and feeling very vulnerable – they don’t have a choice, they need treatment and turn to the health service to give them the care they need.
“It is time that the Health Secretary stopped courting celebrity, stopped passing the blame for his failure to get a grip on making changes to the NHS that would make a real difference.
“We will of course work with Sir Stuart and anyone else that the Government brings in. But we should be focusing on the core recommendations in the Francis Report – that is changing the culture of the NHS and ensuring effective staff engagement – that is the real way to improve the patient experience.”