More than one in five finance managers in the NHS considers morale amongst health accountants to be either ëlowí or ëpoorí ñ just one of the startling results of a survey of members of the Health Finance Managers Association (HFMA) by Hays Accountancy Personnel.
A number of key issues contribute to deteriorating morale. An overwhelming majority of finance managers ñ 70 per cent ñ believe their individual departments could be more motivated, and 77 per cent said positive and negative motivation cascaded down the ranks. Accountants demonstrated huge scepticism about government pledges of financial support for the health service, and withering contempt for league tables. Andy Robling, director of Hays Accountancy Personnelís public sector division, commented, ëWith morale amongst managers at a disturbingly low level, the outlook is alarming.í
What makes health finance managers tick?
Twenty-eight per cent of respondents cite ëchallenge of the jobí as the reason they had pursued a career in health, while 27 per cent sought ëa sense of putting something backí. On a day-to-day basis, 38 per cent of managers say the non-routine nature of health finance work kept them interested, with ëteam and colleaguesí inspiring a further 22 per cent.
Frequent changes depress spirits
Less than one-third (31 per cent) of managers describe morale in finance departments as ëgoodí or ëexcellentí. More than half (54 per cent) claim that frequent changes in policies and procedures demotivate them, with 39 per cent stating that unclear organisational goals are to blame for lack of motivation. Amid the upheaval of pressure to deliver, 53 per cent of finance managers say motivation would be enhanced if senior management involved them more in strategic change management issues.
Mark Knight, chief executive of HFMA, said, ëNHS restructuring is leading to fatigue and insecurity within finance departments ñ I can see how this results in low morale.í However, on a more hopeful note, he added, ëMany departments have a positive agenda for training and development; giving out information is the key factor in assisting managers.í
ëOnly medics matterí culture needs to change
Health chiefs are regularly accused of investing too much time and resources in issues such as efficiency and management ñ to the detriment of doctors, nurses and equipment. Yet accountants are making a stand ñ claiming that, in order for resources to be maximised, clinical staff should in turn be made aware of, and acknowledge, the importance of financial matters. Nearly half (46 per cent) say health sector employers should do more to promote this.
Proactive recruitment of accountants from the private sector is welcomed by 77 per cent ñ evidence that, perhaps, more new blood is needed in order to purge the health sector of some of its more entrenched views. Andy Robling said, ëItís encouraging that so many managers are open to private sector accountants.í However, he warned, ëBetter marketing of accountancy jobs in health is necessary in order to attract the best people from the private sector.í
A words in Gordonís ear from the accountants
More than 6 out of 10 finance managers (62 per cent) feel the Government should ëwaste less money on meaningless targets and league tablesí. Investment in IT was considered to be the top priority of expenditure for 44 per cent, while 34 per cent say doctors and nurses should be the main beneficiaries, proving that accountants are not insensitive to the needs of their clinical colleagues.
Despite having firm opinions on how public funds should be allocated, finance managers are deeply sceptical of promises emanating from Westminster. The Chancellorís announcement of a massive injection of cash for improving the health service earlier in the year cheered only 28 per cent of HFMA accountants ñ almost half (48 per cent) claimed to have heard it all before.
Andy Robling concluded, ëThe good news is that finance managers are highly dedicated to using their financial know-how to improve how the health service operates. However, the message is clear. As people who are key to the success of individual authorities and trusts, they must be listened to in order for their skills to be applied in a way that get a result from which everyone benefits.í
Visit www.haysworks.com/surveys/hfma for the full results of the Hays Accountancy Personnel ëMotivation in Health Financeí Survey.
Morale in NHS finance departments takes a hit as change fatigue sets in, says new survey
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