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Leadership Centre

  • Last modified date:
    29 August 2007

The Leadership Centre is part of the NHS Modernisation Agency, and works with leaders in every part of the NHS. This page sets out the Leadership Centre's activity in the field of HR.

Leadership Centre background

The Leadership Centre believes leaders in the NHS can motivate staff and improve the reputation of the organisation. In order to achieve these goals it

  • encourages good leadership practice
  • evaluates the skills and values needed in leaders at every level
  • assesses the development opportunities needed to deliver them
  • commissions research and pilot schemes that can be implemented locally
  • sets standards and carries out quality assurance
  • promotes equality and diversity to encourage leadership development amongst wider groups of people.

HR Leadership Programme

The Leadership Centre works with the HR Capacity Unit and the Strategic Human Resources Intelligence Networks (SHRINEs) to foster strong leadership qualities and management skills in local NHS organisations.

Between 2003 and 2004, the Leadership Centre will develop the HR leadership qualities framework, continue the senior management programme, and promote best practice through the Research Into Practice initiative.

Research into practice

The Research Into Practice initiative uses commissioned research to support HR policy. Projects include:

  • Cambridge Programme for Industry: Effective Workplace Learning
    A programme of workshops was held with NHS staff from across the country to investigate effective workplace learning for the NHS. This provides the basis for a workbook for organisations looking to introduce workplace learning in line with best practice. A 'toolkit' will also be produced to support this process
  • Aston University: Effective HRM and Patient Mortality
    The work undertaken by Aston University shows that human resources management has a direct impact on patient mortality. This project tests the findings through the SHRINE networks, and ensures that the information is widely distributed
  • Cranfield University: Best Practice in Leadership Development
    The project evaluates leadership development in certain 'successful' (as per stock market performance) private sector companies. This research was mirrored in a survey of NHS managers, enabling comparative data to be produced. A report, setting out the issues for NHS leadership development, and some recommendations for action, will be published.

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