Learning from leadership changes made by boards of NHS hospitals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Learning from leadership changes made by boards of hospital NHS trusts and foundation trusts following the Francis Inquiry report
IRAS ID
196184
Contact name
Naomi Chambers
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
PR-R11-0914-12003, UoM project ref; AMBS/15/05, Alliance Manchester Business School Ethics Approval
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
How have hospital boards responded to the Francis Inquiry, and what have they done to try and improve leadership, governance and culture of the organisation?
In his public inquiry report, Robert Francis QC made it clear that the board of Stafford Hospital was primarily responsible for the failure of leadership that enabled poor standards of care to go unnoticed and unaddressed for so long. This research therefore aims to examine how hospitals have responded to the Francis Inquiry and what lessons can be drawn for the future. The first scoping phase of the research involves interviews with representatives of patient groups, national regulators and experts in board leadership, and a review of existing research evidence. The second phase is an on-line survey questionnaire of all NHS hospital boards in England, to find out how what they have done to respond to Francis Report recommendations about governance and leadership. This broad national picture will be deepened in phase three through work in 6 case study hospitals. Interviews will be carried out with patient, staff and board representatives, and a survey undertaken of all ward and departmental managers across each of the 6 hospitals. We will also observe a sample of board meetings and development workshops. This project will have an advisory group of patient representatives, academic experts, and national patient organisations, who will give advice on how the research is carried out. The project is 24 months in duration and is funded by the Department of Health. The research will generate learning for use by those leading NHS organisations, as well as insights for policymakers about how boards are responding to the challenges set by the Francis Inquiry. More generally, the study will inform patients and the public about the state of leadership, organisation culture and governance within NHS hospitals.
REC name
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REC reference
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