The only thing certain in life is change. So the sooner we’re able to tackle dealing with change the better. I’m naturally an optimist as a rule, but the fortunes of the NHS over the immediate and long term future are enough to test even the sunniest of perspectives. I marvel at managers faced with […]
Category: Billy Boland
Billy Boland: Playing the long game
I was struck by a pang of existential angst the other day when I was out for dinner with some consultant friends. They were chatting about their impending retirement and their hopes for life after the NHS. I got to jape that it was alright for them, some of us would still be working for […]
Billy Boland: Time for a new definition of quality?
I’ve been troubled by our modern concepts of quality in healthcare recently. In these austere times, we are all taking a harder look at the care we deliver and are asking ourselves, is it worth it? Driving down cost to improve services is widely recommended and pursued. Donald Berwick’s “Triple Aim” of improving services involves […]
Billy Boland: What does continuous improvement actually mean?
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve found a lot of what’s written about “continuous improvement” practically impenetrable. On the face of it, it has a lot to offer. Who can argue with an approach that systematically drives up quality? The trouble is, I’ve always found the methodology elusive. I realise that I’ve […]
Billy Boland: Psychiatry is full of story
I had a minor revelation at the weekend whilst talking about why I became a psychiatrist. It’s one of the careers that never fails to excite further questions when you’re getting to know people. I feel like I’ve told my story a thousand times. That’s why it felt so strange to get a new personal […]
Billy Boland: Some New Year’s resolutions
Earlier this week, I saw someone put up their New Year’s resolutions from last year (NYE 2013) on social media to evaluate what they had achieved. It was, in fact, rather a lot, and got me wondering how successful I am at staying committed to change. Now I’m as blindly optimistic as the next person when […]
Billy Boland: Final thoughts on the NHS Leadership Academy
Having made my final submission for the NHS Leadership Academy, and after being told I’ve passed the course by my learning set, the programme should be in the bag. That is unless there are any last minute surprises from the validating board coming up. I’ve always enjoyed the space between handing in coursework and getting […]
Billy Boland: A lesson in perseverance
It did not feel like the end when I submitted my portfolio for the NHS Leadership Academy, and sure enough it was not. I’ve been asked to make amendments, and there is also the submission of my closing statement to do, the final piece of written work on the journey. Any celebratory talk had been […]
Billy Boland: Life after the NHS Leadership Academy
Is it nearly over? Putting the final touches to my portfolio seems all wrong somehow. The outcome of my time at the NHS Leadership Academy depends on this submission, and while it’s now due, I feel I’ve only just started. Come to think of it, this experience has been one of the key features of […]
Billy Boland: The power of “systems” in healthcare
I looked down at my name badge. Although it said chief executive officer, I felt like an impostor. Across the table sat a suitably intimidating panel. The members of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) wanted me to justify why we were keeping open a crumbling hospital with poor outcomes, while the community was […]