The Role of Medical Leadership in the Hospital Turnaround Process

Abstract

Wherever in the world a hospital is located it should aim to provide safe, effective and efficient patient centred healthcare which is based on the best evidence available. Where hospitals have poor outcomes or provide a poor patient experience, local regulatory processes may come into play to protect patients. These may be formal statutory healthcare regulators such as the Care Quality Commission in the UK or less formal regulators such as local authorities where formal regulatory frameworks do not currently exist. A poor reputation may lead to a loss of accreditation, decreased income and a downward spiral leading to worsening quality of care and outcomes. To enable hospitals to come out of this precarious process of decline requires a radical transformational approach and strategic management. This chapter will look at the role of doctors as medical leaders in the turnaround process.