I have spent quite a bit of time this week meeting CCG and Council colleagues from East Riding, Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
There were tough, robust and constructive discussions about balancing the development of place and collaboration amongst local services and teams with developing the Humber, Coast and Vale Integrated Care System.
It made me think about what’s important when major and complex change is afoot. It’s like trying to play 3D chess!
I don’t profess to be an expert but my learning from many years of facilitating, supporting and leading change across systems and organisations tells me that five things really matter:
- strong and trusting relationships
- a clear sense of direction
- delivering results
- honesty and transparency
- a willingness to respect history and learn from it but being brave enough to part with it for the greater good
Never has this been more true than now as we embark upon the challenge of connecting the bold vision captured in the NHS Long Term Plan, with the plans and aspirations of our many different communities across the Humber and North Yorkshire.
Food for thought …
I also want to highlight and celebrate some important wins this week from across the Partnership. Inspire – the new inpatient mental health unit for children and young people serving our Humber population – opened its doors to partners and guests last week, so that they could see the fantastic new facilities on offer for our region’s young people.
This is an important strategic development for our Partnership and supports our collective ambition to provide more care and support as close to home as possible.
Also this week we launched the VCSE Leadership Programme with colleagues from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Humber, Coast and Vale.
Over the next 12 to 18 months this programme will support VCSE sector colleagues to work with the Partnership to develop our collective leadership and ensure this vitally important sector is participating effectively in strategic discussions both locally and within our emerging ICS.