Our approach
The Confederation’s policy work consists of:
Influencing the design of policy and its implementation:
- upwards (to central government)
- downwards (to our members)
- sideways (by connecting members).
Shaping the debate:
- providing a source of fresh thinking
- defining the future agenda and assessing the long-term challenges and solutions.
Why we do it
We apply some key tests before we start a new piece of policy work:
- Are members interested? Is this important to them?
- Do we have or could we develop a coherent policy position – do our members share a common view?
- Are there other stakeholders working on this issue? Would we add value?
- Can we influence government direction?
- Does it strengthen our positioning as leading edge, an independent voice and a representative of the whole NHS family?
How we do it
We work closely with the Department of Health, other government departments, and key stakeholder organisations to influence developing policy and get a feel for what’s on the horizon.
- we also work with members to assess their priorities, concerns and interests to ensure our work is of relevance and help to them. We also attempt to capture their innovation and best practice
- we hold policy seminars to work through ideas with members, stakeholders and government and form our policy lines
- we work with stakeholder organisations from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors to collaborate on issues where collective influence is most effective
- the policy team produces many of the briefings, reports and discussion papers that are circulated to all members and gives policy input to conference programmes.
Our current priorities
Our work programmes are informed by the needs of our members. Taking on board the feedback we have received over the past year - via our networks, at events, through consultations and our annual member survey - we have prioritised the following key areas to focus on during 2011/12 in addition to responding to emerging policy:
- Finance
- Quality
- Understanding the transition
- The new commissioning landscape
- Health and social care
More information
You can find more information about our policy work through: