Leadership training and support for organisational development: an offer from the Strategy Unit
Better use of analysis and decision making, System thinking and system working
October 2023

The Strategy Unit has long been known for the quality of its analytical work, and the clear, critical thinking that underpins it. More recently, we have been asked to provide leadership training and support for organisational development. Individuals, teams, organisations and Systems have found this valuable. We have also enjoyed doing it. And now we are opening our offer so others can benefit.

Review of Ophthalmic Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) in Staffordshire and Shropshire
Primary, community and social care services, Specialised services, System thinking and system working
October 2023

The aim of the MCNs is to bring together primary care optometrists with local ophthalmologists within a geographical area. This is a review Strategy Unit were commissioned by NHS England to work with a medical retina MCN in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and a glaucoma MCN in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, to review their work so far and look at the opportunities the networks present.

How is growth in diagnostic testing affecting the hospital system?
Elective / planned care, Urgent and emergency care, Better use of analysis and decision making
May 2023

Diagnostic services, such as medical imaging, endoscopy, and pathology, have grown substantially in recent years and at a faster rate than most other healthcare services. Increased diagnostic testing brings benefits to patients, but rapid growth of this service area within a complex, adaptive system such as the NHS is likely to have had unintended consequences. Midlands ICBs wanted to understand the impact of diagnostic growth on hospital services.

The NHS as an anchor institution: addressing fuel poverty
Urgent and emergency care, Wider determinants of health and prevention
March 2023

The number of households in fuel poverty in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SSoT) is higher than the national average. As anchor institutions, NHS organisations can use their assets to influence the health and wellbeing of their local communities. The Strategy Unit was asked by the Midlands NHS Greening Board to evaluate a cross-sector initiative in SSoT to help alleviate fuel poverty using savings generated through solar panels on NHS buildings. The project is called Keep Warm, Keep Well.