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Leaders need to understand that in an era of competition (between provider organisations) that a collaborative approach isn't necessarily a non-viable strategy. In fact, given the economically bleak outlook for the NHS, collaboration may be an essential method of not only reducing cost but also a viable way of ensuring continued competitive advantage. This can be done through innovative partnerships that keep patients and referrers engaged with your services and - unless a national direction is given to work as a unified NHS with no competitive element between organisations, which is unlikely - then the leadership challenge surely, is for organisations and their leaders to collaborate effectively, in order to survive and thrive ? I am surprised to date that explicit reference to this type of approach, with practical examples, hasn't formed part of any NHS Leadership text or development programme I've come across - although perhaps I've been looking in the wrong place ? When undertaking some research over recent years, I Googled "Co-opetition" - I found some interesting stuff that personally, I think may now be of real relevance to NHS Leadership development.

Darren Leech, by email