Many thanks to all the participants who attended the Making the Business Case event in Sheffield today. It was a pleasure to have your company.

Evaluation

Comments from participants (included with kind written permission from each) included:

“A very enlightening course – made interesting. Would highly recommend it.” – Pauline Bamgbala, Service Lead Wellbing and Prevention, North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus
“Very informative and relevant to NHS. Can see how it can be used effectively.” – Jan Harrison, ETD Manager – IT, NHS Hull
“Topics which appear difficult explained in a very simple clear manner – unbelievable! Well worth attending.” - Zalkernane Luqman, Finance Manager, NHS Leeds
“Eyes wide open when writing my next business case.” – Andrew Donegan, Head of Linen and Catering, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
“Was very good and just right length with gaps / work at the right time.” – Adam Tebbutt, PFM, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
“I now know how accountants think!” – Rebecca Malin, Head of Business Development and Investment, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
” A fantastic course which held my full attention – no small feat!” – Ruth Middleton, Head of Commissioning, NHS Leeds

Resources

Here are the resources from the day – please use the Username and Password given to you to access them – thank you!

PDF File of the PowerPoint slides from the day.

Making the Business Case – Presentation PDF

Word documents created as pro-formas for your use:

Mission Statement Pro-Forma Word
STEEPLE Pro-Forma Word
SWOT – Pro-Forma Word

Other resources:

KPMG Business Planning Sourcebook PDF
KPMG Business Planning Sourcebook PowerPoint
NHS Capital Investment Manual – Business Case Guide PDF
Cabinet Office – Strategy Survival Guide PDF
Cabinet Office – Strategy Survival Guide – Summary PDF
Making the Business Case – Chartered Society of Physiotherapy PDF

The Green Book is HM Treasury guidance for Central Government, setting out a framework for the appraisal and evaluation of all policies, programmes and projects. It sets out the key stages in the development of a proposal from the articulation of the rationale for intervention and the setting of objectives, through to options appraisal and, eventually, implementation and evaluation. It describes how the economic, financial, social and environmental assessments of a proposal should be combined and aims to ensure consistency and transparency in the appraisal process throughout government.

The Green Book

The Magenta Book is HM Treasury guidance on evaluation for Central Government, but will also be useful for all policy makers, including in local government, charities and the voluntary sectors. It sets out the key issues to consider when designing and managing evaluations, and the presentation and interpretation of evaluation results. It describes why thinking about evaluation before and during the policy design phase can help to improve the quality of evaluation results without needing to hinder the policy process.

Magenta Book

Please get in touch if you would like any further resources or information.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a combined hospital and community Trust formed by the merger of North East Lincolnshire NHS Trust and Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust. It operates all the NHS hospitals in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole. Today’s event at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby was a chance to learn from the experience of creating NHS tenders for clinical services in Winning NHS Tenders. In the past few years I’ve written, edited, challenged or presented successful NHS tenders for three counties of Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, Addictions Services, Children’s Speech and Language Therapy, Eating Disorders and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies amongst many others.

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission gratefully received from each participant):

“Excellent facilitator.” – Maureen Georgiou, Head of Community Nursing
“As usual the course was very well delivered. Keep up the good work!” – David Owen, Assistant Chief Pharmacist
“Very useful and interesting.” – Kerry Carroll, Planning Manager
“I have very limited knowledge and have had zero exposure and therefore found the session very interesting and useful.” – Pauline Antcliff, Business Support Manager
“Excellent course. My knowledge of tenders in the NHS is limited therefore I found the day extremely beneficial. Thank you David :).” – Debbie Walker, Business Support Manager
“Work with NLAG on a high value tender.” – Collette Cunningham, General Manager Medicine
“Some very important lessons to make sure we put together effective tenders which aren’t at risk of disqualification.” – Karen Fanthorpe, General Manager

I wish the delegates all the best in creating successful tenders to improve services to patients. Many thanks to everyone involved for such a positive day.

Manchester Business School, NHS West Midlands and the University of Birmingham have developed a programme for Aspiring Directors. My session on Financial Challenges and Practical Solutions covered major NHS financial issues in detail in practical workshop sessions. The event closed with ‘Ten Questions to ask your Director of Finance’.

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission received from each):

“I learnt a lot – thanks.” – Abdullah Shehu, Divisional Medical Director, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
“Very interactive and informative.” – Claire Parker, Assistant Director Medicines Management, Sandwell PCT
“Very good session.” – Peter Skitt, Divisional General Manager, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Resources

Here are the resources from the day:

Learning the Lessons from Financial Failure in the NHS – Audit Commission Report July 2006 PDF
Financial Challenges and Practical Solutions – presentation PDF
OECD Health Data 2011 – UK data PDF
HM Treasury Budget 2012 – Complete copy of the UK’s Budget 2012 PDF

Ten Questions to ask your Director of Finance:

1. What are the main reasons for any deviation from financial plan?
2. What are the main risks to the organisation meeting its financial targets?
3. What action needs to be taken to address any deviations and potential risks?
4. What level of contingency reserve does the Finance Director have to deal with any emergencies?
5. What is the Trust’s liquidity position and how does this relate to the reported I&E position?
6. Why has the debtors/creditors figure changed?
7. What action has been taken to reduce debtors and improve cash flow?
8. What are the main risks to long term financial stability?
9. How do the Trust’s costs and performance compare to other similar trusts?
10. What steps are being taken by management to improve performance/efficiency?

Many thanks to everyone involved. Please feel free to get in contact if you have any queries or would like support.

Manchester Business School, NHS West Midlands and the University of Birmingham have developed a programme for Aspiring Directors. My session on Financial Challenges and Practical Solutions covered major NHS financial issues in detail in practical workshop sessions. The event closed with ‘Ten Questions to ask your Director of Finance’.

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission received from each):

“Witty. Liked the pathology example.” – Steve Harris, Consultant Histopathology & Deputy Medical Director, Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust
“Good engagement with group founded on engagement of all.” – David Richardson, Head of learning & OD, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
“Presenter was very stimulating and made the session very interesting.” – Michelle Norton, Deputy Director of Nursing, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Resources

Here are the resources from the day:

Learning the Lessons from Financial Failure in the NHS – Audit Commission Report July 2006 PDF
Financial Challenges and Practical Solutions – presentation PDF
OECD Health Data 2011 – UK data PDF
HM Treasury Budget 2012 – Complete copy of the UK’s Budget 2012 PDF

Ten Questions to ask your Director of Finance:

1. What are the main reasons for any deviation from financial plan?
2. What are the main risks to the organisation meeting its financial targets?
3. What action needs to be taken to address any deviations and potential risks?
4. What level of contingency reserve does the Finance Director have to deal with any emergencies?
5. What is the Trust’s liquidity position and how does this relate to the reported I&E position?
6. Why has the debtors/creditors figure changed?
7. What action has been taken to reduce debtors and improve cash flow?
8. What are the main risks to long term financial stability?
9. How do the Trust’s costs and performance compare to other similar trusts?
10. What steps are being taken by management to improve performance/efficiency?

Many thanks to everyone involved. Please feel free to get in contact if you have any queries or would like support.

Today’s The NHS Budget Holder’s Survival Guide was a chance for managers and clinicians to share their experiences of budgeting and finance within the NHS and to action plan their future plans for improving their relationship with finance.

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission received from each participant):

“Best course I’ve been on for a long time!” – Debbie Stovin, Adult Treatment System Manager, NHS Rotherham
“Everything excellent.” – Rona Potter, Senior Sister, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
“Delivery method excellent. The scenarios are excellent education tools – the statements session in the morning had lots of theoretical content delivered in a practical manner. Like the action planning throughout the session.” – Sharon Berry, Theatre Sister – Procurement, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
“An excellent event – thanks v much.” – Dave King, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Humber NHS Foundation Trust
“Excellent workshop – really found useful and enjoyed it” – Rebecca Bell, Operational Manager, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

Many thanks to everyone who participated in such an enjoyable day.

Today’s workshop in Norwich was a lively one, with a passionate group dedicated to making a difference to people with mental ill health. The event The NHS Budget Holder’s Survival Guide is a proven way for managers and clinicians to get the skills they need to use budgets to improve services to patients, clients and service users.

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission received from each participant):

“Given this was a “you must attend” and ‘budget’ (even my small-scale responsibilities) is a least favourite topic, found the day to be informative, helpful and enjoyable overall. Nice presentation style, great sense of humour and delivery.” – Ged Bailes, Lead Consultant Psychologist, Secure Services, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Very engaging, funny and enjoyable.” – Rob Atthey-Howard, Forensic Community Team Leader, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Thank you – a difficult subject made easier and enjoyable.” – Anna Rees, CTC Therapies, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“I accessed this event at the last minute – I am glad I did as it has helped me understand budgets and language around it a bit better.” – Kim Boggen, Support Worker Training Co-ordinator, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Really helpful and informative session.” – Helen Lawrence, CTC, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Pay him! Should also include higher management.” – Gary Page, Charge Nurse, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Enjoyed the content and presentation style. Feel more empowered to question the budget and utilise the skills of the finance department.” – Craig Howell, CTL, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Recommend for all budget holders and accountants. Budget Holding for idiots – must be as I understood it!” – David Oakley, Clinical Team Leader, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
“Very enthusiastic presenter. Interested in people and showed much knowledge in his work. Excellent time with David to allay fears in basic budgeting issues.” – Godfried Asamoah, Charge Nurse, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Many thanks to everyone involved.

Today was a chance to run a workshop in Hatfield in Hertfordshire. Today’s The NHS Budget Holder’s Survival Guide was a clear attempt to change the culture of finance through creating a cohort of confident and knowledgeable budget holders willing and able to challenge finance within their organisations to improve services.

Course content:

• Budgets and budgetary control
• Understanding financial reports
• The three methods of accounting
• Forecasting your financial position
• How budgets are set
• Planning to develop your service
• Your responsibilities… and your rights
• The seven point plan for interpreting your financial information.

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission received from each participant):

“Very well presented and very relevant to my role. Thank you.” – Jill Dickinson, Unit Manager, East and North Herts NHS Trust
“Enjoyed the course – surprisingly!!” – Jillian David, Service Manager, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, East and North Herts NHS Trust

Many thanks to everyone involved.

Today was a chance to run a workshop in Newmarket at the Rowley Mile with breathtaking views from the granstand across the whole of the racecourse. Today’s The NHS Budget Holder’s Survival Guide was fully booked as usual and covered the objectives comprehensively:

Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• List their financial responsibilities
• Get the best out of their finance department
• Use a simple step-by-step method to interpret financial reports
• Project and forecast future financial problems
• List reasons for variances from budget

Comments from today’s event include (with written permission received from each participant):

“Thank you. This has been a very informative presentation and I feel much more confident in my responsibility” – Elizabeth Shillito, Sister, Papworth Hospital NHS Trust
“Very informative, thank you.” – Heather Ballard, Service Development Manager, NHS Midlands and East
“A potentially boring subject was very interesting. Thank you.” – Jane Elliott, Research and Database Manager, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
“Great training. Very engaging and witty. A lot of information and knowledge was shared in a way that was easy to understand.” – Sarah Wright, Business Manager, NHS Midlands and East
“Very worthwhile training.” – Sharon McKinnell, Assistant Admin Team Manager RSSC, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
“Excellent training.” – Michelle Stevens, Administrative Manager, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
“Very well presented, fully engaged with presenter and subject.” – Shelley Bewsher, Programme Manager, NHS Midlands and East
“Very good presenter.” – Janice Dowse, Business Manager, NHS Midlands and East
“Really good and enjoyable course, would recommend it and even though the subject has the potential to be dry it was delivered in a really engaging way.” – Vittoria Polito, Intelligence Manager, NHS North East Essex PCT
“Very engaging and knowledgeable presenter.” – Mette Vognsen, Independent Investigations Manager, NHS East of England
“Very good and thought provoking.” – James Williams, Deputy Director of Public Health, South Essex Cluster PCT

10 May 2012 – The NHS Budget Holder’s Survival Guide – Programme – Sheffield

10 May 2012 - The NHS Budget Holder's Survival Guide - Programme - Sheffield

18 May 2012 - Making the Business Case - Programme - Sheffield

3 July 2012 - The NHS Budget Holder's Survival Guide - Programme - Brough

19 October 2012 - Making the Business Case - Programme - Brough

Many thanks to all the participants who attended the Making the Business Case event in Cambourne today. It was a pleasure to have your company.

Comments from participants included (published with kind written permission of each):

“I feel my eyes have been opened to economics and I understand the difference between finance and economics.” – Harriet Ward, NHS Management Trainee, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement
“Thank you, it was excellent.” – Sam Page, Learning and Development Manager, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
“A very enjoyable day. Back to work armed with better tools tomorrow…” – Anne Day, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
“Excellent day, clearly presented and engaging. Will use knowledge gained with immediate effect.” – Mr Paul Tisi, Consultant Surgeon / Associate Medical Director, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
“Excellent presentation methods. Excellent content.” - Darren Maguire, Clinical General Manager, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Resources

Here are the resources from the day – please use the Username and Password given to you to access them – thank you!

PDF File of the PowerPoint slides from the day.

Making the Business Case – Presentation PDF

Word documents created as pro-formas for your use:

Mission Statement Pro-Forma Word
STEEPLE Pro-Forma Word
SWOT – Pro-Forma Word

Other resources:

KPMG Business Planning Sourcebook PDF
KPMG Business Planning Sourcebook PowerPoint
NHS Capital Investment Manual – Business Case Guide PDF
Cabinet Office – Strategy Survival Guide PDF
Cabinet Office – Strategy Survival Guide – Summary PDF
Making the Business Case – Chartered Society of Physiotherapy PDF

The Green Book is HM Treasury guidance for Central Government, setting out a framework for the appraisal and evaluation of all policies, programmes and projects. It sets out the key stages in the development of a proposal from the articulation of the rationale for intervention and the setting of objectives, through to options appraisal and, eventually, implementation and evaluation. It describes how the economic, financial, social and environmental assessments of a proposal should be combined and aims to ensure consistency and transparency in the appraisal process throughout government.

The Green Book

The Magenta Book is HM Treasury guidance on evaluation for Central Government, but will also be useful for all policy makers, including in local government, charities and the voluntary sectors. It sets out the key issues to consider when designing and managing evaluations, and the presentation and interpretation of evaluation results. It describes why thinking about evaluation before and during the policy design phase can help to improve the quality of evaluation results without needing to hinder the policy process.

Magenta Book

Please get in touch if you would like any further resources or information.