The NHS is looking to move many of its services to Social Enterprise models over the next 5 years. This is causing many people here in the UK some concern. Not least of which: is this the beginning of the end of our social care model of medicine?
See what those at the NHS are saying about all the SE hubbub. (via Audeamus) It appears the fear, uncertainty, and doubt around this transition is spreading fast. The NHS appears to be conducting a clinic in how to alienate a workforce in 18 months. (If the scribbling nurse is assumed to represent the everyday nurse in NHS)
Much is commented on in the Audeamus blog and the links in their blogline. But, I think the missing element in all of this is the definition of social enterprise (SE). That’s good and bad. Good: tired of debating the definition. Bad: they are using an emotionally charged nameplate (SE) to indicate some sort of complete divestiture by the NHS. The solution is not social enterprise. The solution is discipline and the pursuit of excellence. Without these, the new social enterprises will provide the same good/bad/indifferent (you choose) care all clients recieved prior to the SE taking over. This is potentially where hundreds of organisations are failing to see the point of change with SE as the mechanism. You cannot just change a gov’t provision to a private sector model and expect it to be better. Most businesses are mediocre. Risks must be taken and discipline must be part of the organisations DNA. (See the Good to Great: The Social Sector)
We should focus on the creating better organisations first, then determine what sector (private/public/3rd) they operate within.
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