Jenny Simpson

Biographical Information
"Jenny graduated from Manchester Medical School in 1976, pursuing a career in paediatrics in Manchester and subsequently in Sheffield. As a junior doctor Jenny developed an interest in leadership and management as the key means of to improving the quality of management in health care. As part of her training Jenny gained an MBA with Distinction followed by a Doctorate in Business Administration. She then went on to identify a core group of doctors enthusiastic and committed to the idea of a serious approach to management and leadership education for doctors, whilst still working clinically in Sheffield. This core group formed the beginning of BAMM.

"BAMM was crafted and developed to become a significant, influencing body in NHS policy formulation, as well as supporting and educating a large cohort of doctors, at senior and junior levels. As a result, doctors in management roles are now seen as key strategic players in the NHS. They are increasingly recognised as having an intimate knowledge of clinical operational processes and yet also the high level managerial perspective and skills which enable them to play a major strategic role in the service.

"BAMM’s leadership development programme, Fit to Lead, uniquely based on measurable skills and competencies against a set of standards, aligned both with practical day-to-day good practice and national strategy, has become a major - and vital component of the education and training of thousands of doctors.

"In February 2000, Jenny became a member of the Government’s Modernisation Board, as one of a small group of clinicians working with the PM and the then Secretary of State, Alan Milburn. Jenny was one of the original signatories to the NHS plan in July of that year. Since then, Jenny has advised successive Governments in both the UK and overseas, on clinical leadership strategy. In 2007, Jenny was requested by Ministers to lead ‘Tackling Concerns Locally’ for Department of Health, implementing the White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety.

"Jenny contributed to the drafting of the Regulation for Medical Revalidation and Responsible Officers and was commissioned to write the DH Guidance for Responsible Officers, the Competency Framework for Responsible Officers and the training plan. Jenny currently works for the Revalidation Support Team at the Department of Health, is the Chairman of the recently launched European Alliance of Medical Managers, (EAMM) and Strategic Medical Advisor to the Board, Lloydspharmacy."

Affiliations

 * President, Institute of Healthcare Management