A scheme to develop senior clinicians as leaders is to be extended across England after a successful trial.
A programme to introduce the NHS Clinical Leaders Network to all 10 strategic health authority areas has begun following a two-year pilot in the North West.
The move follows Lord Darzi's boost for clinical leadership in his next stage review.
The pilot, which was a joint venture between NHS Connecting for Health, the Department of Health and NHS North West, saw more than 80 medical professionals take part.
The clinicians met monthly for discussions and problem-solving exercises and organisers say the scheme led to increased take-up of choose and book, improved performance on waiting times and better practice based commissioning.
NHS London, NHS North East, and NHS West Midlands are expected to join the scheme this autumn and the other SHAs should be signed up by summer 2009.
At least 60 senior clinicians, including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in each area, will take part in the scheme, which will be funded by SHAs, the department and Connecting for Health at around£1.9m in 2008-09.
Participants must undergo a formal application, recruitment and selection process, where they will demonstrate their abilities and influence.
Michael Wilshaw, national executive lead for the network, said: "What this programme provides, which doesn't exist at the moment, is space for senior influential clinicians to participate in action learning to solve problems and bring about service reform."
He said the clinicians taking part did not necessarily have to occupy management roles.
Mr Wilshaw said the programme complemented the next stage review plans and would focus on two areas - designing clinical pathways in primary and secondary care and looking at the information needed by the NHS to make changes work.
For more news and debate visit the new clinical leaders section at hsj.co.uk
1 Readers' comment