A recurring theme in conversations with clinical directors is lack of time for the role. It has become commonplace to refer to funding for the role as sufficient for two days a week, but in fact it is for a 0.25 whole-time equivalent (WTE) role per 50,000 head of population, which is closer to two clinical sessions. For smaller networks covering, say, a 30,000 population, funding would cover only a day or so and while the bigger networks (c100,000) would have enough for 0.5WTE or 2.5 days, clinical directors still face the challenge of squeezing a huge task into a part-time role. Those choosing to allocate two or more days are therefore having to find the time – or the money – elsewhere and are looking to other sources of support, typically dedicated network managers, practice managers or third parties. For information about PCC’s support for clinical directors, including leadership training, coaching and mentoring contact enquiries@pcc-cic.org.uk.
