Modernisation Initiative Conference
Modernisation Initiative’s Conference – May 2006
The Modernisation Initiative’s Conference, ‘Celebrating the Achievements, Sharing the Learning’, took place in May this year. The conference was a celebration of the Initiative's achievements so far, and provided an opportunity to share some of the learning which has been gained, and offered delegates a chance to network together.
The Modernisation Initiative is a major three year project working across the healthcare sector in Lambeth and Southwark to identify and deliver change in patient centred care for Stroke Services, Sexual Health and Kidney Disease. The project works in partnership with local modernisation change agents, including NHS staff and patients, numerous community groups, patient groups and independent healthcare organisations. The project is funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.
After introductory speeches from the Charity’s Chief Executive Geoffrey Shepherd and the Modernisation Initiative’s Director Fran Woodard, keynote speaker Michael McGrath shared his inspirational story as the first disabled person in the world to have conquered both the North and South Poles.
The conference’s themes were drawn from the main objectives of the Modernisation Initiative’s work: innovation, working in partnership and service improvement. The showcased examples were drawn from each of the Modernisation Initiative’s programmes, and more broadly dealt with management of change, service user involvement and commissioning to inform local development.
The conference was well received with over 280 delegates attending. An exit poll revealed that by the end of the conference, over 98% of attendees believed they could bring improvement to their workplace or health service.
