Working in systems: a practical guide for clinical and care professionals

Between August 2022 and April 2023, the NHS Confederation brought together a clinical and care professional leadership learning network, which included a broad cohort of clinicians, care professionals and appropriate non-clinical staff outside of formal leadership positions across the health and care sector. 

Its aim was to engage in the principles and ideas related to clinical and care professional leadership, as set out in national guidance, and to empower professionals to think differently about their roles within the systems that they operate, not just their organisations. 

Increased collaboration of clinical and care professionals across organisations should offer patients and service users an improved experience of health and care services; and the evidence suggests that strong leadership leads to better health outcomes.

The group has developed this practical guide to support other professionals across the country to engage in these principles and to become leaders in collaboration themselves. The guide includes:

1. top tips for collaboration
2. lessons learned
3. go-to resources that have helped them on their leadership journeys.