Groundbreaking Mediation Initiative Launched

Reducing inequalities within the NHS

Working with TCM, Leicester City Community Health Services has just established a major new mediation scheme. This ground breaking initiative is part of the Department of Health's (DH) Pacesetters Initiative – a partnership between local communities who experience health inequalities, the NHS and the  Department of Health.

The aim of Pacesetters is delivering equality and diversity improvements and innovations resulting in:  

• Patient and user involvement in design and delivery of the services;
• Reduced health inequalities for patients and service users;
• Working environments that are fair and free of discrimination.

Mediation in a rapidly changing healthcare economy

Faced with the issues presented by a rapidly changing environment, Leicester City Community Health Services wanted to apply good practice with regard to their Employer Wellbeing Strategy and Dignity at Work policy. In particular, the Trust wanted to learn from conflict as well as see a reduction in litigation and the associated costs.

TCM worked to gain buy in from senior managers at an early stage. This enabled the resulting internal mediation scheme to have very rapid impact – from the start.

Mediation scheme launched February 2009

Launched in February 2009, the Trusts mediation scheme commenced with an awareness event where staff were invited to become mediators. Over 20 staff attended and after intensive selection interviews, held over 2 days, 12 staff were selected and trained by TCM to become fully qualified mediators able to quickly and effectively resolve complex staff complaints and grievances. All 12 mediators successfully completed the courses and were awarded the National Certificate in Workplace Mediation.

Ongoing support from TCM

As well as the 12-month follow up support that TCM offers newly qualified mediators and those under-going mediation, TCM also provided a Comprehensive Case Management System. This helped Leicester City Community Health Services at every stage – from setting up and running the awareness event and interview process through to integrating the scheme into policy and providing all admin document templates for running the scheme.

What people are saying about the initiative

Feedback from Leicester City Community Health Service staff who trained as mediators is extremely positive and the initiative will be collecting evidence of the effectiveness of mediation: 
 

Do you want to set up a mediation initiative within your Trust?

TCM are experts at establishing Trust wide mediation services. For more information, contact TCM on 020 7404 7011 or click here to make an enquiry

Want to keep up to date with the latest developments at TCM and mediation?

TCM members receive regular briefings, newsletters and discounted services. They also have access to the members section of the TCM website which is jammed packed with up to the minute information about mediation. Click here to join TCM and don't forget - its completely free to join!