Technical / Myth-busting and the benefits of integrated learning

Iain Crossley (pictured), a tutor for the Making finance work in the NHS module, says the mix of sector backgrounds of students creates robust discussion and an opportunity to challenge misconceptions about how things work in different parts of the NHS. ‘We often get into the territory of myths and misunderstandings. It’s really helpful to see things from a different perspective,’ he says.

Until this year, the HFMA had run separate study programmes for its diploma in healthcare business and finance and its diploma in advanced primary care management. But from October the programmes have been brought together. Students still work towards one qualification or the other, with the specific qualification determined by the combination of modules studied. However, students on both qualifications study together for modules common to both programmes.

This has brought a new dimension to the weekly tutorials, says Mr Crossley, who wrote the module and previously taught on the primary care qualification. ‘We typically see finance managers, budget holders and clinicians from trusts and integrated care boards on the business and finance programme and GPs and practice managers on the primary care module. By learning together, we get some interesting views and it really helps everyone to see the whole NHS from a different angle.’

Mr Crossley says the masters-level course goes beyond explaining how the NHS works. Instead, it encourages students who are already working in the NHS and familiar with many of its systems to think about how it could work better. ‘For example, we don’t just explain how the allocation process works – the basics of how you give money out across the country in a fair and equitable way,’ he says. ‘But we also challenge if this process delivers what it is supposed to. And how do you make the process work for integrated care?’

About two-thirds of the 25 students on the current intake for this module being taught by Mr Crossley are pursuing the healthcare business and finance route.

‘The mix exposes that what is clear and obvious in one sector is often seen completely differently elsewhere,’ he says. ‘In primary care, the focus financially is about income. They have a completely different approach to the idea of budgeting.’

The course also gets into emotive topics such as the pros and cons of funding capital in the NHS with public or private finance. Each week’s 90-minute tutorial is popular and lively as a result.

The Making finance work in the NHS module is estimated to involve some 200 hours of study over 17 weeks from start to final assessment, including 10 weeks of teaching. Successful completion of the masters-level module is worth 30 academic credits. To achieve a full advanced diploma requires the completion of two modules. Making finance work in the NHS is mandatory for the healthcare business and finance qualification. For the primary care qualification, students must complete an NHS law, policy and governance module.

Students for both qualifications can choose their extra modules from the following: Tools to support decision-making;  Creating and delivering value in healthcare; Supporting quality care through patient-level costing;  Personal effectiveness and leadership; and Managing the healthcare business.