Change in the NHS

A review into the working of the Grampian Health Board, begun in 1986, considered how best to make use of the limited resources available. Working on the simple principle that those who do a particular job know that job best, a plan was initiated to gather the ideas of staff and put them into action. The ‘ideas into action’ project produced a positive reaction from staff, raised morale considerably and promoted a deeper understanding of the problems experienced by colleagues. This article tells the story in the words of two of those who were instrumental in the programme.