This report is based on research into the characteristics of effective boards in the NHS. Our aim is to highlight key issues and prompt debate into how NHS boards perform and what makes them effective.
The research, carried out by the NHS Confederation and the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team, looks at what board members believe are the characteristics of effective boards and how the actual practice of their boards compares with these views.
Based on extensive interviews with board members and observations of board meetings from a crosssection of NHS organisations, the research provides a snapshot of board behaviour and board members’ views. It is not intended to be an academic study but is designed to promote debate and provide pointers to areas where more detailed and academic research could be focused. The research was funded by the NHS Leadership Centre. Interviews and observations were carried out in the summer of 2004.