Introducing innovation in a management development programme for a UK primary care organisation.

PURPOSE

The aim of this paper is to examine the introduction of innovation as part of a management development programme at a primary care organisation, a legal form known as a Primary Care Trust (PCT), in the UK.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The paper draws on experience of managing a successful management development programme for a PCT. The report of the case study analyses the key events that took place between 2008 and 2010, from direct observation, surveys, discussion and documentary evidence.

FINDINGS

The Northern PCT has partnerships with a number of educational providers to deliver their leadership and management development programmes. A close working relationship had developed and the programme is bespoke - hence it is current and of practical use to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). In addition, there are regular meetings, with module leaders gaining a firsthand understanding of the organisation's needs and aspirations. This has resulted in a very focused and personalised offering and a genuine involvement in the programme and individuals concerned.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The research was conducted among a relatively small sample, and there is a lack of previous literature evidence to make significant comparisons.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The paper identifies key implications for practitioners and educators in this area.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper is one of few to investigate innovation and improvement in the NHS, and is unique in that it uses the lenses of a management development programme to explore this important, and under-researched, topic.