Introduction

Change has come rapidly and radically to the NHS in recent years, but the day-to-day work of clinical departments and the priority of patient care remain. The impact of managing change has fallen on health care staff, who face conflicting demands, rising expectations, policy changes and cost pressures, while still needing to ensure that patient care is delivered. This book offers them key insights into the effective management of change. It gives practical tools and techniques for planning and managing change projects that affect individuals, departments, teams and organizations.

Drawing on many years' experience, the authors explain the different stages of introducing change, offering clear advice on the many issues involved in both complex and relatively straightforward projects. They discuss change in the NHS context and consider in detail the core principles:

• effects of change on individuals, groups and organizations
• managing a change project - from diagnosis to transition
• overcoming resistance
• reaching and maintaining the change goals
• personal change management skills

This is a practical guide, full of checklists, action plans and case studies, and is designed to improve professional practice. It is essential reading for health managers.