NHS North West
Welcome
Welcome to the micro-site that we have developed to provide you with all the information you might need to apply for this position.
The creation of, and recruitment to, this post is an exciting and important landmark in terms of economics in the NHS, both nationally and within the North West. When I took up post in January of this year, NHS North West was the first (and only) Strategic Health Authority to recognise the significant contribution that economics can make to the workings and decision-making of the NHS. Since then, other SHAs have followed suit and NHS North West has committed to the further development and expansion of the function through this post. The successful candidate has the opportunity to be ‘in at the start’ of what I believe will become a real breakthrough in terms of the direct contribution of economics to NHS working and decision-making.
So what’s it like to be an economist in NHS North West? This SHA (and its partner organisations) includes some of the most innovative, well-respected and influential leaders that exist anywhere in the NHS today. As well as being an impressive cadre of individuals to work alongside, they are also incredibly enthusiastic about and receptive to economics. The successful candidate will not only work with some of the best people in the NHS today, but will be given the opportunity to contribute directly to their thinking and decision making. That means having a direct and observable impact not only on NHS policy but on the health and care experiences of millions of people living in the North West.
As will become apparent, from other sections of this information micro-site, the 10 SHAs in England also work very closely with the Department of Health. This work includes co-designing and developing national policy. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity and encouragement to initiate and develop national networks that impact directly on the strategic direction of the NHS across England.
You probably cannot overestimate the need for economic approaches at the heart of strategic thinking in the NHS. Topic areas and major challenges are as diverse as: inequalities in wealth and health; how to define and assess PCT resource allocation; capturing productivity and efficiency in a sector as complex and diverse as health care; measuring the extent of competition and assessing its impact; defining and testing the public interest in possible mergers and acquisitions…and the list could go on! No two days are ever the same and the successful candidate will need to be able to respond to what can be a rapidly developing environment.
All in all, being an economist in the North West is challenging, inspiring, hard work, rewarding and always fascinating.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this micro site, where you will be able to find a wealth of information about the post and the organisation as well as what to do next if you think you fit the bill and would relish the opportunities this post presents.
Warmest regards
Kirsten
Kirsten Major
Chief Economist
NHS North West
