GHP Executive Awards 2017

14 | ghp Executive Awards 2017 Best Healthcare Support Consultancy Executive - UK Wessex Academic Health Science Network is on a mission is to improve people’s health, achieve excellence in healthcare and boost innovation and growth in our region’s life sciences and healthcare sector. As part of this, the organisation connects academics, NHS, industry and others to bring fresh energy to old problems, inspired thinking to new ones and to spread innovation and best practice, as Rachel outlines. “There are 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) across England, established by NHS England in 2013 to spread innovation at pace and scale - improving health and generating economic growth. As the only bodies that connect NHS and academic organisations, local authorities, the third sector and industry, we are catalysts that create the right conditions to facilitate change across whole health and social care economies, with a clear focus on improving outcomes for patients. This means we are uniquely placed to identify and spread health innovation at pace and scale; driving the adoption and spread of innovative ideas and technologies across large populations. “Although small organisations we lead large regional networks. Hence our impact rests in our ability to bring people, resources and organisations together quickly, delivering benefits that could not be achieved alone. This impact we are making is already clear: for example, a survey of AHSNs commissioned by NHS England found that 73% of respondents would recommend working with us. The role of AHSNs in supporting opportunities for the growth of the UK life sciences sector creates an environment for the discovery of tomorrow’s innovations. In Wessex, our results are evaluated by the Centre for Implementation Science.” Rachel’s role as Associate Director within the AHSN’s Wealth and Enterprise team supports the organisation’s culture of collaborative innovation. “Personally, I generally use the facilitative approach in decision making which is often referred to as participative or consultative. The facilitative leadership style best fits the majority of my transformation efforts at work. This approach allows me to think ‘outside of the box’ and away from a linear, project-thinking orientation. The key point is that organisations are involved in making the decision rather than simply being told what to do. “Vision, commitment and trust, setting direction and influencing people to follow that direction are the fundamental principles underpinning leadership. Our culture is based on business drivers, shared actions, words, beliefs and behaviours which operate within the contexts and influences of what employees perceive at their individual level.” In 2016, Rachel was instrumental in launching the Wessex International Healthcare Consortium (WIHC). In combining the unique skills, expertise and global reputation of the NHS,WIHC offers innovative service development and cutting-edge suppliers to the international healthcare market. Rachel emphasises that this model will be a key area of growth for Wessex AHSN and its members. “Looking ahead, the UK Government supports WIHC to broker international business opportunities for the health and life sciences market, and as such 2017 will see us continue our growth in sourcing of innovative and established solutions to meet international healthcare needs from the operational expertise of WIHC members. Wessex Academic Health Science Network is a member led organisation within the NHS based in Wessex. We invited Rachel Dominey to tell us more about the organisation and the vital work it undertakes. GEX17005