The NHS, melting icebergs and change

Interesting to see the massive resistance being generated to the reforms proposed in the NHS at the moment. Many commentators referred yesterday to the fact that any reform to this national institution creates resistance (and there have been a lot of changes in recent years).

There was some debate as to whether, on this occasion it is a case of miscommunication or whether the reforms themselves are fundamentally flawed. As an observer from the "outside", I can't help but think that, while I could probably work it out for myself, the drivers of the reform have not been well explained.

Thinking about a book that illustrates a story about change (Our Iceberg is Melting), the change seems flawed. Not enough has been done to communicate the sense of urgency in a way that helps those involved see and feel the need for change. There also seems to be a lack of involvement, engagement and dialogue with stakeholders. Finally (and most critically) there is no vision that engages those affected and creates a sense of the future being better than the past.

I'm sure there would be a lot of resistance to the idea but perhaps the NHS could learn from a simple story of a penguin colony!