Patient centred leadership in practice

Aim To explore patient centred leadership at every level in an organisation and provide practical examples of how this was demonstrated in an acute tertiary NHS Trust. Background There is a direct relationship between leadership and quality of care. With increasing expansion of their role nurses are in a key position to influence and lead colleagues to improve patient care. Evaluation The Leadership Qualities Framework (NHS Institute of Innovation and Improvement 2006) is used to illustrate the various qualities used by clinical leaders in examples of leadership in practice. Key issue Leadership development with the emphasis on the patient drives improvements in service delivery and patient safety. Conclusion Patient centred leadership is demonstrated when there is support at the top of the organisation. Politically aware nurses make effective patient centred leaders. Leadership development programmes provide staff with opportunities to acquire essential skills and qualities in order to contribute to the vision of the organisation. Implications for nursing management Managers should support staff and take risks in order to empower nurses to implement initiatives which improve patient care. A process of communication using a variety of tools can have a impact on a range of staff. Patient centred leaders are role models for tomorrow's leaders, their impact has lasting effect and wider implications within an organisation and beyond.