A team of people working together in harmony towards a shared goal (see Figure 2.3), where the individual characteristics each team member brings complements those of others, is a powerful and effective entity. There can be much gained from team working, as members enjoy the support and comradeship of each other. The more positive staff feel about their team and their work the better their work is and this can have a positive effect on others around them.
Bargagliotti (2011) terms this as ‘work engagement’ and sees this as a state of mind that workers can have about their team and what they do (see Figure 2.4). The ability and opportunity to work with staff from other disciplines and backgrounds adds a richness to team working in the NHS which is interesting and exciting.
Figure 2.3 Team of people committed to a common goal. Source: Reproduced with permission from J. Green.
Activity 2.12
What characteristics can you bring to a team which will facilitate good team working?
What can you do to develop these skills?
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Figure 2.4 (a) Key principles of good team working and (b) key characteristics of a good team player.
(a) Commitment Equality Optimism
Co operation Communication Collaboration
Motivation
Accountability Constructive criticism Compassion and caring Clear vision Flexibility
Shared goal
Creative Client focused Stimulating
(b)
Constructive Co operative
Collaborative Positive Compassionate
Competent Hard worker Flexible
Committed
Client focused Motivated
Caring Accountable Challenging
Key points
•
Women must be at the heart of everything that the NHS does in midwifery.•
Midwives must work in partnership with women and their families.•
The woman is key to all care decisions.•
Effective team working is crucial for good quality and safe care.•
Bullying must not be tolerated.•
It is everyone’s responsibility to build an effective team and working environment.•
Communication is the foundation on which all care is built.•
Anyone who works in the NHS must raise any concerns they may have about inappropriate or poor care.Conclusion
This chapter has examined the terms: team, manager and leader in the context of the NHS and particularly the maternity services. The importance of effective team working has been empha-sised and how everyone has a responsibility to be a team player and facilitate collaborative working. Specific crucial points where team working is particularly important have been identi-fied, for example around handovers, review of care and emergency situations. Tools which may assist in this process, have been examined. The benefits that students, midwives and other health professionals feel when enjoying working within a team and feeling valued, have been
36
examined (Yoshida & Sandall 2013). One of the main priorities within this chapter has been to highlight the importance of the woman as a pivotal member of the team; for her to be at the centre of decision-making and how this can be facilitated and improved. This is the key to good team working in the context of high quality maternity care, which is well received by the woman, her partner and family. Much of the recent evidence around problems with care, have identified the lack of focus on the needs of the patient. A belief that the woman is the starting point for all care and that her needs must always be uppermost in everyone’s minds is funda-mental to this chapter. In order to be a good team player, it has been established that it is important for the individual to understand their own role and responsibilities and how this fits with the roles and responsibilities of other team members. Strategies have been identified to assist in developing team working skills both for the student and the qualified midwife.
End of chapter activities
Crossword
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8 9
10
11 12
13 14
15 16
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1. Read section III of the NHS Constitution to find out more about complaints and the redress that is available to patients and their relatives if they are not happy with their care.
2. Read section IV of the NHS Constitution so that you can be aware of the expectations that the NHS has of staff.
3. It is important that you are aware of the structure of any organisation within which you work. A significant reorganisation of health and social care is currently underway. Use the references below to make sure you are up to date on how health and social care is structured. Also if you go to the Department of Health website there is an explanation of the structure of the NHS.
Gardner, S. (2012) Centralising midwifery care British Journal of Midwifery 20(8), p. 536.
Glasper, A. (2012) Caring for our healthcare future: The government White Paper. British Journal of Nursing 21(16), pp.
992–993.
Sillett, J. (2012) Health and Social Care Bill: Health and Wellbeing boards. British Journal of Nursing 21(12), p. 710.
4. Read Yalden, B., McCormack, B. (2010) Constructions of dignity: a pre requisite for flourishing in the workplace?
International Journal of Older People Nursing 5, pp. 137–147 and think about what implications this has for your practice and working within the maternity services.
5. Reflect on the care that you gave a particular woman; discuss this reflection with your mentor and a Supervisor of Midwives. Find out what other people think about your ability to work as part of a team. Ask the woman for feedback on your care; it might be useful to ask one of the women who are part of your caseloading to help you if this is not already part of your programme.
6. Use the 15 steps challenge to review your next placement area. Callard, L., Williams, A. (2012) The 15 Steps Challenge:
A toolkit for Good Care. Nursing Management 19(8), pp. 14–18.
Across
5. The person who should be at the centre of all care
6. One of the C’s
7. This is a crucial element of safe care 10. Communication event when information is
passed from one care giver to another
11. A process to make things happen
13. Repeated offensive behaviour which attempts to undermine an individual 14. What you must do if you witness poor care 16. One of the key characteristics of a team
player Down
1. Modest estimate of own importance 2. One of the key principles of good team
working
3. Something which should be shared 4. Working together
8. Taking responsibility for one’s own actions and omissions
9. Communication tool
12. A person who sets a good example 15. The number of C’s
Find out more
Below is a list of things you can find out about to enhance your knowledge of the issues and topics covered in this chapter. Make notes using the chapter content, the references and further reading identified, local policies and guidelines and discussions with colleagues.
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Glossary of terms
Accountability Taking responsibility for one’s own actions and omissions.
Bullying Repeated offensive behaviour through vindictive, cruel, malicious or humiliating attempts to undermine an individual or group of employees.
Collaboration To work together.
Compassion Feeling for others, with a need to alleviate suffering.
Conflict resolution Strategies which are used to try to overcome difficulties and challenges.
Consent A client agrees to undergo a procedure after being giving the relevant information in which to make a decision.
Handover Communication event, when information is passed from one care giver to another.
Hierarchy System in which some people are seen as having more power or influence other others.
Humility Modest estimate of own importance.
Integrity To act with honesty.
Leadership A process of social influence, concerned with the traits and styles and behaviours of individuals that causes others to follow them.
Management The process of making things happens.
Resilience Ability to cope with challenging situations.
Role model A person who sets a good example.
Respect To give value to something.
Team A small number of people with complementary knowledge and skills who are committed to a common purpose.