Impact of the Code of Conduct

Impact of the IHM Code in the UK

The formulation of the IHM Healthcare Management Code has inspired the public health services across the UK to establish codes of conduct for healthcare managers in their territories.  The IHM Code was subsequently adopted by the NHS in Wales and incorporated into the NHS Code of Conduct for Managers.

The health authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently working on versions of a code of conduct for managers in their territories, and the IHM are proud to work alongside these initiatives.The broad adoption of the principle of a code for healthcare managers is an important step in building confidence both with the public and among fellow health professionals. 

While healthcare managers are a body of professionals equally dedicated to patient care as their colleagues in other disciplines, the Code is the public confirmation of that commitment and the values under which they work.

The enforcement of the Code is an important component of public and peer confidence.  In general, Code is regarded by the NHS as a locally enforceable issue, that is, down to the most appropriate organisational level, and a number of initiatives are presently being worked on to ensure consistency of approach in the disciplinary process.

The IHM has a well established disciplinary process to underpin the IHM Management Code