Blog
Conflict and the courts: lessons from recent case law on conflict between professionals and families
by Dr Jaime Lindsey, Associate Professor in Law, University of Reading
Conflict between healthcare professionals (HCPs), patients and families has had a relatively high profile following several reported cases reaching the courts over the past ten years. In this post we look at some more recent developments from the courts to consider what professionals working in health and social care might be able to learn from these cases, highlighting:
- the need to involve parents and families (and patients where possible) throughout the process
- the use of alternative methods of resolution of conflict where possible
- the need to apply to the court as soon as possible where ensuring the patient’s best interests requires it.
New online conflict management training announced with NHS England
by Sarah Barclay, Director MMF
We're delighted to announce our new partnership with NHS England and the launch of the first online Conflict Management Training in Children’s Healthcare.
Staff working at all levels in children’s healthcare will for the first time be able to access an online toolkit for recognising, managing and de-escalating conflict between families and healthcare professionals.
The art of handling difficult meetings: Essential skills for healthcare professionals working with parents
by Audrey Dorival, MMF Associate Trainer and Mediator
Many healthcare professionals can feel nervous or stressed at the prospect of difficult meetings with parents, families and carers. Difficult meetings can bring out the vulnerability in us all. Using simple effective mediation strategies, healthcare professionals can feel more confident to handle difficult meetings, have those courageous conversations and proactively build positive relationships.
Improving communication in healthcare teams
By Oscar Mathew, Director MMF
Effective communication is a critical component of successful healthcare delivery. Healthcare teams that communicate effectively are better able to provide quality care, resolve conflicts, and create a more positive experience for colleagues and patients alike.
However, improving communication within a healthcare team is not always easy, especially when an unhelpful culture of behaviour or ways of working have developed.
Healthcare teams that foster a culture of open communication are more likely to address issues before they become major problems, and they are also more likely to have a positive working environment.
Read on for three strategies that you can try out to improve communication within your team
Conflict between colleagues in Primary Care
by Dr Clare Sieber, MMF Trainer and Mediator
We heard from Oscar Mathew in last month's blog about the effect conflict has on healthcare leaders and the additional burden they carry by virtue of being responsible for resolving it, as well as perhaps being blamed for causing it in the first place. But what happens when conflict directly involves someone who has the role of senior clinician, manager and business partner?
This month, I'd like to focus on a specific area of the healthcare system in the UK and how conflict manifests itself here; general practice.
In previous blogs, MMF colleagues have talked extensively about the types of conflict that we see in health care settings; conflict with patients and conflict between colleagues. In UK General Practice, GP surgeries are independent businesses, so the leaders - namely the GP partners and practice managers - have two additional types of colleague conflicts to contend with: conflict between the employer and employees (I.e. Employment disputes) and conflict between business partners.
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