Shortlisted
• Julie Nickisson, director of operations, ALPF
• Ben Gowland, chief executive, Nene Commissioning
• Elaine Young, executive director, United Commissioning
Winner
Elaine Young, Executive director, United Commissioning
A combination of financial management and inspirational leadership is the key to Elaine Young's success. Described by colleagues as ‘an excellent leader', she left the airline industry to work for United Commissioning as executive director in 2008, bringing with her a dynamic approach.
Elaine joined United Commissioning at a time when NHS Buckinghamshire had a £20m overspend and was failing to meet targets. She got to grips with reducing referrals to secondary care through peer review and education, which resulted in a 15% reduction in referrals and made United Commissioning a significant factor in changing the PCT's position.
With an impressive ability to inspire her colleagues, she has brought about collegiate working between the PCT and three local commissioning groups and has engaged GPs and practice managers in the process.
She is described by those who work with her as ‘a genuinely inspirational leader with a superb approach to work that gets to the heart of an issue quickly and effectively'.
Judge's Comment
Her approach to financial management appreciates the need to drive quality of service alongside value for money.
Jose Tarnowski, practice manager, Wrington Vale Medical Practice