HfMA

The UK / US Exchange programme brings together two communities of healthcare finance professionals from both systems.  It is a unique programme that brings together a mix of work and family life and is a high-level programme designed for senior staff.

Relationships between the Association and HFMA USA go back to 1964.  The first formal exchange was held in July 1981 at King’s Fund College with seventeen fellows from the HFMA US paired with a like number of UK health service treasurers. Since then it has alternated between the USA & UK with approximately 1,000 members from each association having participated in the event.

The Exchange will not only provide an outstanding opportunity for discussion and debate in a highly stimulating environment but also unique networking opportunities with leading edge professionals and colleagues with vast experience of both systems.

The 28th UK / US Exchange conference will take place in July 2008.  The conference element of the programme will run from Wednesday 23rd  - Friday 25th July 2008.

The Exchange 2008 – Toronto, Canada

UK delegates are paired with a US delegate.  The Association makes every effort to align personal and organisational factors even considering the size and age of individual family members.   On this leg the UK delegates will be hosted, usually in private homes, by a US equivalent anytime from the weekend commencing Friday 18th July.  Most US delegates can usually accommodate you and your family as Americans tend to have larger houses.

You will accompany your pairing to work on Monday & Tuesday to get an insight into the US Healthcare System.  Wednesday morning is allocated as travelling time with an opening session mid-afternoon.  The conference continues throughout Thursday and finishes Friday lunchtime.  The programme over the 3 days is challenging but exciting with a ‘work hard, play hard’ concept.

This year as the conference is in Toronto, Canada it will offer delegates the opportunity to study two healthcare systems as there will are expected to be a number of visits to Canadian healthcare facilities.

The Exchange 2009 – London

In 2009 the process is reversed with you hosting your pairing and their family.  Some US families may elect to stay in a local hotel if you cannot accommodate them and this is accepted providing clear preferences are stated before the programme starts.

In 2009 there is the first of the new streamlined exchange conference.  This will involve the US delegate travelling over and engaging in a more flexible programme of two or three days based on site visits at your facilities.  The Exchange day will take place on 23rd July in London where we will review what has been learnt by both sets of delegates and feedback.  There will also be a dinner to celebrate the end of the leg.  Both one night’s accommodation and the dinner will be included in the registration fee.

The Benefits and Costs

HFMA operates this programme on an entirely not-for-profit basis.  The delegate fee for 2008 will be £1650 plus VAT standard rate and £1450 plus VAT HFMA partner rate.  The conference cost does not include any additional costs such as travel, flights etc. 

The fee for 2009 will be £500 which is a registration fee covering the pairing, administration, the conference, dinner and overnight accommodation.

The fee is due each year by 30th April prior to the conference.  Delegates can decide how they intend to pay for the exchange whether in one lump sum or over two financial years.

Travel arrangements should be organised by the individual in conjunction with their pairing.