Health and Social Care

Chief Officers Spotlight: David Lynch

July 21, 2015 by Linda White 1 Comment | Category Uncategorized

Integration in the dictionary is often described as a noun. It has been heartening to see that here in Dundee there is a doing dimension to the word; Integration as a verb, that implies tangible actions, progress and change.

A good example of this was our work earlier this year around consulting on our Draft Scheme of Integration. Through a series of locality based “pop up” events, we met citizens, staff and community representatives and heard their thoughts on Integration. These events were dynamic and valuable. As well as assisting with the content of the Integration Scheme, the conversations, often on a one to one basis, meant a different type of discussion could be had which contributed to a shared understanding of what needs doing.

Additionally, a wide range of work bringing people together from across our integration partnership is ongoing. This has ranged from large scale events of over 100 people, to smaller, more targeted activity for staff, allowing them to explore what it is that they need to do differently to make the principles of integration a reality.

I’d like to highlight two examples.

Our Transforming Leadership for Integration programme engages staff from all levels across our partnership. Using the principles of Adaptive Leadership and Action Learning ensures that “Action equals Doing“. Participants will go back into their workplace with real actions to test out, to try, to do. Work like this supports small tests of change that evidence the doing aspect of Integration.

Another example of our doing work has been our Co-Production Facilitation programmes. Participants are staff, users of services and volunteers who come together to explore their shared understanding of what it means to co-produce. They can explore, test out and develop, and practice co-production as they support real change in their day to day roles. One of the first opportunities I had as a newly appointed Chief Officer was to hear feedback from those who took part in this programme, and I was struck by their energy, their sense of now just wanting to go and do it.

Here in Dundee we intend to continue with the doing aspect of Integration. Whilst acknowledging the challenges ahead, we firmly believe that the spirit and success of integration lies in the doing. This is where the real difference that Integration will make to peoples lives will happen.

Tags: Can-Do, Chief Officer, Doing, Dundee, Moving Forward, Reflection

Comments

• Miguel Garcia-Sanchez says:

  30 July 2015 at 9:15 am

  This is great. Please convince me that consultation is not just about anecdotal feedback from those who would make their voice heard anyway. I am more of a hard evidence supporter but always wellcome thoughts from do-ers like you!