Resource Hub

Caring to Change

Topic : Innovation Type : Briefing

This paper looks at compassion – which involves attending, understanding, empathising and helping – as a core cultural value of the NHS and how compassionate leadership results in a working environment that encourages people to find new and improved ways of doing things.

It also describes four key elements of a culture for innovative, high-quality and continually improving care and what they mean for patients, staff and the wider organisation:

  • inspiring vision and strategy
  • positive inclusion and participation
  • enthusiastic team and cross-boundary working
  • support and autonomy for staff to innovate.

The paper also presents case studies of how compassionate leadership has led to innovation. This work was supported by the Health Foundation

By: Michael West, Ben Collins, Regina Eckert, Rachna Chowla

Source: Kings Fund