Lessons from the military in working together for the benefit of patients.

Abstract

Frimley Park Hospital hosts a Ministry of Defence hospital unit, with a military nursing, medical and surgical staff team working alongside the NHS workforce. Ward sisters at the hospital have undertaken a six-month leadership programme in partnership with the military to strengthen their leadership skills and role in providing high quality care (News October 1). The sisters say that these programmes have encouraged them to be proactive and lead from the front. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports that the culture throughout the organisation is open and transparent, having a clear focus on improvement and putting the patient at the centre of its work. It adds: ‘There is a clear culture of personal accountability among staff, with a strong sense of pride in their work.’ The CQC recently rated Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as ‘outstanding’ – the first time that a trust in England has received such an accolade. It has been declared outstanding in terms of care, responsiveness and leadership. It would appear that the clinicians and managers at Frimley Park work together to provide outstanding patient care, rather than at loggerheads. I would like to see more hospitals encouraging staff engagement through the introduction of military-style leadership and accountability. There are surely lessons for us all from Frimley Park.