We were impressed by the relevance of the hospital laundry managers’ conference recently held in Blackpool. In the previous decade ‘Never do anything for the first time’ was a principle that many managers followed with some success. It does not work today. Good managers are judged by the outcome of the risks they take. Not only do they need a spread sheet and a pager but a reliable crystal ball and a pair of lucky dice.
The conference highlighted the changing role of management. Working in the hospital laundry sector managers need to be an accountant, engineer, lawyer and personnel officer.
The conference confronted the effects of EU legislation, the need for contingency planning and the coming changes to competitive tendering. The option of ‘doing nothing‘ is only for those about to retire, and in a fast moving and competitive environment those who do not seek and seize the opportunities will fail.
Bill Evett
