Nurturing medical leadership in the NHS

While there are some excellent medical leaders already in place, senior management and leadership roles just aren’t appealing for many doctors. The result is loss of expertise and capacity in vision-building and service improvement.

The practical barriers to effective clinical leadership include lack of time, support and access to appropriate data. People in medical leadership positions also need an appropriate financial reward, in addition to an environment where leadership roles are esteemed and valued.

This BMJ editorial from Katharine Halliday and Mary Dixon-Woods looks at the problems affecting NHS medical leadership, and suggests that the new government, supported by Darzi’s recommendations, must commit to recognising, valuing, and supporting the role of doctors in a modern, multidisciplinary approach to NHS management and leadership.