Health On The Line Sir Jim Mackey: “We need to be honest about our problems”
Jun 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Jim Mackey, the Chief Executive of NHS England and former leader of Newcastle hospitals, shares insights on the pressing issues within the NHS. He emphasizes the importance of honesty in addressing systemic challenges and highlights the need for collaborative solutions. Mackey also discusses the crucial role of primary care in modern healthcare, advocating for better integration and leadership development. With ambitious plans ahead, he calls for unity and accountability in transforming health services amid ongoing financial hurdles.
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Honesty Sparks NHS Improvement
- Honest acknowledgment of NHS problems is crucial for improvement and addressing variation in performance.
- Local staff ambition and leadership can drive the needed changes despite current difficulties.
Collaborate With Purpose and Focus
- Prioritize meaningful collaboration with local partners and challenge ineffective meetings to protect your time.
- Ruthlessly assess if joint efforts deliver impact and avoid wasting time on purposeless interactions.
Overcome Blame to Collaborate
- NHS and local partners must overcome tribal blame culture to work effectively for the population.
- Shared purpose for the same community demands grown-up leadership and collaboration despite pressured times.
