NHS chief executive David Nicholson told delegates at the first joint IHM and MHSC annual conference that the development of managers and their skills had never been more critical for service improvement in the NHS.

In his keynote address, Mr Nicholson said change will only happen through organisations using NHS reforms as levers to empower people on the frontline.

“As managers we are not geared up for that. We need to take our own personal development very seriously – that’s the way you improve performance in the system.

“But the system also owes you something in terms of supporting and nurturing you. I am absolutely determined to make sure that happens.”

IHM chief executive Sue Hodgetts told the 200-plus health and social care managers gathered in Harrogate that, according to health economists, by 2015 the NHS will be facing a 10 per cent shortfall in resources.

“We can no longer afford to recycle the mistakes that have already been made,” she warned.

Conference delegates contributed to a series of cabaret discussion sessions. One on organisational development concluded that the bottom line is finding a form of organisation through which values like integrity and accountability can be represented, and innovation is possible. Leadership programmes should be local, to bring service innovation into practice.

Good management saves lives – that is what healthcare managers must keep in mind when planning their personal development, delegates were told. 21st century healthcare demands 21st century management techniques, but managers need the appropriate tools for development.