Health Business

Staff for life

Can good people management in the NHS contribute to improved performance and help save lives? This question is the focus of research at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition

Organisations would not succeed without their people and the health industry is no exception. In many ways the health industry is more reliant on employees’ commitment to care and motivation, particularly organisations like the NHS that face challenges surrounding pay demands.

But can good people management and development in the NHS contribute to improved performance and help save lives? This question is the focus of research that is due to be launched at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, taking place at the International Conference Centre in Harrogate on 18-19 September. This is the largest people management conference and exhibition in Europe, attracting nearly 5,000 management and development professionals each year.

Networking opportunity
On the first day of the conference, Jane Raven, HR director at Knowsley Primary Care Trust, will join Julia Hurst, HR director at BUPA Care Homes, to discuss the human resource interventions that their organisations have taken to improve the quality of life for their patients and residents.

There will be a host of other people management and development-related challenges on the agenda at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, with new research on people management and development related issues.

As well as hearing from leading academics and business figures in the conference seminars, the event offers a valuable opportunity to network with fellow people management and development professionals. Visitors can also pick-up on developments from leading suppliers taking part in the CIPD exhibition which brings together nearly 300 major product and service providers.

Exhibition highlights
This year’s exhibition includes a series of zones on the key themes of employee benefits and rewards; talent management and recruitment; and HR software solutions, making it easier for visitors to home in on the best solution for their needs. Each zone will also feature a free themed showcase with 30-minute presentations from suppliers and the CIPD’s research and policy team. These are in addition to the Exhibition Exchange showcases, providing topical updates on latest developments, products and services.

On-stand demonstrations and new launches will also give practitioners the chance to preview new developments at first hand, such as employee screening services, online psychometric testing, e-learning tools and reward and recognition schemes.

Conference keynotes
The conference runs alongside the exhibition where two of the UK’s most successful business leaders, Sir Gerry Robinson and Greg Dyke will face the grand inquisitor, broadcaster Jeremy Paxman. Famous for his no-nonsense style Paxman, who will be chairing the session, will grill them both on their experiences and debate the issues at the very heart of world class business.

This year’s conference also features over 40 seminars focusing on the burning issues facing organisations today from talent management to human capital and leadership. Case study organisations include, Vodafone, BUPA Care Homes, Virgin Atlantic Airways, first direct, easyJet, HM Revenue and Customs, DHL and Microsoft Ltd.

Speakers at the event include Allan Leighton, chairman ofRoyal Mail sharing his views on leadership; Lynda Gratton, professor of management practice at London Business School discussing the principles in her book: “Hot Spots: Why some companies buzz with energy and Innovations and other’s don’t”; and Clare Chapman, director-general, workforce for the NHS and Neil Roden, group director of human resources at Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, on how to deliver world class HR. For a full list of speakers, visit www.cipd.co.uk/ace.

Further information
The CIPD’s Annual Conference and Exhibition takes place at the Harrogate International Centre from 18-20 September 2007. To find out more about the conference and exhibition, including supplier news and information visit www.cipd.co.uk/ace or call 020 8612 6248.

Those pre-registering for the exhibition will receive a free fast-track entry badge; free newsletter and voucher booklet with exclusive competitions; special exhibitor offers; and a free show guide. All those pre-registering will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win either a hot air balloon ride, digital camera or subscription to CIPD’s Coaching at Work magazine.