“Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells” announced Bob’s computer as he logged into the Webex meeting with Lesley.
<Bob> Hi Lesley, in case I forget later I’d like to wish you a Happy Christmas and hope that 2017 brings you new opportunity for learning and fun.
<Lesley> Thanks Bob, and I wish you the same. And I believe the blog last week pointed to some.
<Bob> Thank you and I agree; every niggle is an opportunity for improvement and the “Houston we have a problem!” one is a biggie.
<Lesley> So how do we start on this one? It is massive!
<Bob> The same way we do on all niggles; we diagnose the root cause first. What do you feel they might be?
<Lesley> Well, following it backwards from your niggle, the board reports are created by the data analysts, and they will produce whatever they are asked to. It must be really irritating for them to have their work rubbished!
<Bob> Are you suggesting that they understand the flaws in what they are asked to do but keep quiet?
<Lesley> I am not sure they do, but there is clearly a gap between their intent and their impact. Where would they gain the insight? Do they have access to the sort of training I have am getting?
<Bob> That is a very good question, and until this week I would not have been able to answer, but an interesting report by the Health Foundation was recently published on that very topic. It is entitled “Understanding Analytical Capability In Health Care” and what it says is that there is a lost tribe of data analysts in the NHS.
<Lesley> How interesting! That certainly resonates with my experience. All the data analysts I know seem to be hidden away behind their computers, caught in the cross-fire between between the boards and the wards, and very sensibly keeping their heads down and doing what they are asked to.
<Bob> That would certainly help to explain what we are seeing! And the good news is that Martin Bardsley, the author of the paper, has interviewed many people across the system, gathered their feedback, and offered some helpful recommendations. Here is a snippet.
<Lesley> I like these recommendations, especially the “in-work training programmes” and inclusion “in general management and leadership training“. But isn’t that one of the purposes of the CHIPs training?
<Bob> It is indeed, which is why it is good to see that Martin has specifically recommended it.
<Lesley> Excellent! That means that my own investment in the CHIPs training has just gained in street value and that’s good for my CV. An unexpected early Xmas present. Thank you!