HFMA 2017: Association to collaborate on NHS future

In his inaugural speech as HFMA president, Mr Gild (pictured) unveiled a three-part theme for his year – Our NHS, your HFMA, brighter together.  With the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the service in 2018, Mr Gild said it was a good point to look forward 30 years to the 100th anniversary.

The HFMA would work with other organisations, including CIPFA, on a series of collaborative reviews. A HFMA branch could host the work, which will be on topics such as the future NHS offer, funding models, health economics and the role of technology.

‘My theme underlines a passion for our NHS, an NHS the public still want, need and support. My theme is one of collaboration, a partnership, an alliance encouraging bright ideas, innovation and change,’ he told the conference.

Turning to the ‘your HFMA’ element of his theme, Mr Gild, who is chief financial officer at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said the association would support members. The association would host free development days for members at branch level throughout 2018 and develop a senior leadership programme for existing chief finance officers and finance directors.

‘Brighter together’ meant the association would focus on being a benefit to the NHS and inclusive of all health and care service workers, including clinicians, as well as the finance community in all four nations.

‘We will be brighter together as we work together towards unifying goals, in our own teams, organisations and working across health and care systems,’ he added.