Clinical leaders in the making

Abstract

Clinical leadership is playing an ever-increasing role in the NHS and is a core element of NHS Modernisation. Clinical leadership within the ambulance service has traditionally been the primary responsibility of the Clinical Director, but as care delivered by the ambulance has altered over recent years, the aim being fewer patients transferred to emergency departments (EDs), and more patients being treated and clinically managed at home, the need for appropriately educated clinical leaders with experience, clinical credibility and influence at all levels in ambulance services is now vital. Historically other professions, such as medicine and nursing, have developed identifiable clinical leadership roles, supported by a range of educational programmes.