Ensure visible and open senior leadership and transparent communication with staff

Why this matters

With a constantly changing external environment, effective communication and staff engagement are critical enablers. It is important to provide regular, consistent communication that acknowledges the challenges of change and creates space for dialogue. 

What works in practice

Communications and engagement cuts across a wide range of transition activity, from managing both external and internal communications, developing the new brand and website and providing specialist advice around engagement for pathway alignment work.

Embedding the communications functions across all transition workstreams helps keep sight on all relevant developments to support their activity. Maintaining a close relationship with staff, being open to feedback, acknowledging mistakes and visibly acting on concerns were repeatedly described as the most important and helpful actions taken during the transition. 

Advice from ICB leaders

• Hold weekly all-staff webinars led by the chief executive, to provide updates on progress and opportunities for staff to ask questions directly.
• Work closely with staff representatives to make sure you’re getting it right.