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Press release: Confederation consolidates reputation in year of action - and Prime Minister recognises NHS management

04 Jul 2001

The NHS Confederation annual conference and exhibition opened today in Manchester with a message from the Confederation Chairman and the Prime Minister*. Dianne Jeffrey, Chairman of the NHS Confederation welcomed the Prime Minister's statement that "the important debate about how to cut bureaucracy should not be confused, and will not be, with the need to invest in management, because investing in management is actually investing for reform."

She also welcomed his recognition of the role of the Confederation. "I listen to what the Confederation says because I know they are in touch with grassroots NHS concerns."

Dianne Jeffrey also launched the results of research into the views of its members, politicians, peers, civil servants, unions and others - a membership and perceptions audit. Both showed a positive trend in opinion since similar audits undertaken 18 months ago. Mrs Jeffrey said "the Confederation is needed and valued as the independent voice for NHS management - somewhere that policy makers, the media and others can come for an authoritative opinion about what its really like out there in the NHS and which supports NHS management and leadership."

Respondents to the audit surveys felt that the Confederation has noticeably improved the public debate about management in the NHS in the last 18 months and there was welcome recognition of the influence the Confederation had on the NHS Plan.

Notes for editors

* The Prime Minister's spoke through a video message.

1. Methodology:
   * Perceptions audit: the Confederation interviewed 50 senior individuals across the health sector including politicians, civil servants, partner organisations, the media and commercial partners. The results are qualitative and give a broad brush feel for the way the Confederation is currently perceived at senior level.
   * Membership audit: the Confederation conducted a postal questionnaire of all its member organisations asking for a range of different people within that organisation to respond. At least 40 per cent of member organisations responded with a representative spread across each geographical area, organisation type and different roles in member organisations.
2. The results of the audits are set out in the Confederation publication "Listening for the future - the results of the membership and perceptions audits" which are available in the Confederation press office or on the web site at www.nhsconfed.org/publications

The NHS Confederation's Annual Conference is taking place in Manchester between 4 - 6 July 2001.

The NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and health authorities in Wales; trusts and health boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

1. Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.

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