Member Article

What’s in the North East Leadership Group?

Bdaily recently spoke to the North East Leadership Group about their model of group knowledge-sharing and mentoring. In the lead up to the inaugural Group meeting on October 23, we look at how some SMEs have benefited from the Group in its Yorkshire incarnation. Here we spoke to Dawn Stott of the Association for Perioperative Practice about her experience of the Group.

Can you briefly outline your business?

The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) is a not for profit organisation that supports theatre personnel within the acute setting in the NHS and private sector. AfPP was established as the National Association of Theatre Nurses in 1964 (NATN). In 2005 it changed its name and also changed its structures and systems in recognition of the significant changes happening in the healthcare sector.

AfPP also works to encourage the exchange of professional information between members and provides training and development to support the continuous professional development requirements of membership professionals.

Our charitable objective is to advance by improving patient care in perioperative practice.

What attracted you to the Leadership Group?

Through our charity I have worked closely with a founder member of the Yorkshire Leadership Group and they introduced me to the concept of the group and invited me along for a couple of tasters. The high caliber of speakers and the varied topics covered was a definite attraction to joining the group.

What issues had you encountered in the business, and how did you use the Leadership Group to help with these issues?

To move with and embrace the changing healthcare landscape has been challenging in two ways for AfPP. (1) Uncertainty of jobs within the NHS, from which our core membership is derived. Membership of AfPP is not obligatory and therefore, when finances are tight membership if allowed to lapse. (2) Changes in procurement procedures within the NHS has meant a down turn in stand sales at our annual exhibition, which was our flagship event and was our biggest income generator. Discussion with the Leadership group around new income streams, membership offerings etc., has proved invaluable as it gives an opportunity to get an outsider’s perspective on the problems and issues you are facing. Ideas and suggestions are provided in a secure and confidential environment.

What sort of support do you get from the Leadership Group?

Confidential discussion time to share ideas around best practice and to understand that you are not alone and that others share the same problems and issues. The peer discussions are an excellent opportunity to ask for support and develop new ideas with like minded individuals.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .