Keep it simple

As chair of the CSP professional network for leaders and managers (LaMPS) in Northern Ireland, I was recently involved in a successful promotional event for our profession, ‘Physio Works: The patient perspective’. It was held at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. 

 

The event was organised by LaMPS Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland CSP board. The programme aimed to reinforce the ‘Physiotherapy Works’ agenda by way of patient stories. Promoting personal and public involvement is a strategic priority. 

 

The event was a good example of the value of a collective leadership approach. 

 

It involved people with national, regional and local backgrounds. Those involved included Catherine Pope, chair of Council, members of LaMPS Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland CSP board, clinicians and, importantly, patients. 

 

The input from patients and clinicians alike reinforced the strategic message, giving it more credibility for those who attended. The patients’ stories highlighted good outcomes in core areas of physiotherapy and introduced examples of innovative practice to those present, including Northern Ireland assembly and health committee members.

 

The exposure I experienced recently as a seconded allied health professions officer for Northern Ireland made me aware of the importance of relaying memorable messages rather than giving too much detail in certain forums.     

 

I’d like to end with a quote from the material available as part of the CSP’s Leadership resources.  An unnamed therapy services manager said: ‘We need to have a vision, we need to know how we are going to try and achieve that vision and we need to understand that we need to work together for that vision.’