The Association of Healthcare Human Resource Management aims to radically
overhaul its role to become a strategic influence in the modernisation of the
NHS.
The HR healthcare body has appointed two chief executives to head up the
organisation in an attempt to increase personnel function’s reputation and
influence, delegates at its annual conference at Chester were told.
AHHRM’s new president Elaine Way, chief executive at Foyle Health and Social
Services Trust in Northern Ireland, also aims to use her contacts in government
to help shape policy. "I know three out of four of the country’s NHS HR
directors quite well and am absolutely determined to use and increasethat
contact," she said.
Way, a former HR director is also keen for AHHRM to produce research to
prove the strategic impact HR can have in driving performance improvements. She
has agreed to undertake joint HR research with the CIPD and Aston Business
School.
"I am looking to build a dossier of evidence. If we produce this, then
it will be irresistible to the departments [of health in the UK] about how they
spend their money," she said.
To help co-ordinate this organisational change AHHRM is to appoint an executive
officer to improve internal communication and working methods. Way believes the
appointment will help make the organisation more professional.
AHHRM’s relationship with local government HR body Socpo will continue to be
developed.
Way urged the profession to have more faith in its abilities. She warns that
the function’s success depends upon it.
"HR has never been a central function and that is why a lot of people
in HR have accepted their position. I believe our place is higher up the
pecking order because of the importance of the job we are doing."
By Paul Nelson
What HR needs to know
– AHHRM has appointed two chief executives to boost HR’s
profile in the health service
– It has appointed an executive officer to improve internal
communication
– The organisation is to carry out research to prove the
strategic impact of HR in the NHS
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