Letters

Published: 28/02/2002, Volume II2, No. 5794 Page 22

I was interested to read David Fillingham's article on modernising the NHS and his five rules ('Take five', 7 February). I suggest two more.

First, get rid of the 'them and us' culture. I am fed up with hearing colleagues denigrating each other at meetings. Doctorbashing, managerbashing and nursebashing are unprofessional and unhelpful. They have to stop. We must take responsibility for the service we provide and stop blaming others. We are all employed by the NHS, directly or indirectly, to provide a service to patients. This should be the goal that drives us - not petty internecine rivalries.

Second, encourage risk-taking, but use protection. Mr Fillingham is right to say the small changes are important.

But we must encourage staff to 'do it differently' and take risks.

Giving them permission to come up with innovative solutions to problems can be a positive step.

Setting the boundaries and parameters will ensure the solutions are realistic and deliverable. We must cherish our 'right-brain thinkers'. Those people in our organisations who think differently to us may well have some relevant ideas.

Change can happen via lots of small improvements - as well as through imaginative ideas.

As that famous management guru Mick Hucknall said, 'We are in this together'.

Dr Murray Freeman.

Victoria Park health centre Birkenhead