Consensio Reports In-house Mediation Success at NHS East Lancashire

Consensio, a leading conflict management and workplace mediation provider, along with NHS East Lancashire, reports the success of the Trust’s in-house mediation scheme, 18 months following its inception.

[UKPRwire, Thu Nov 05 2009] Consensio, a leading conflict management and workplace mediation provider, along with NHS East Lancashire, reports the success of the Trust’s in-house mediation scheme, 18 months following its inception.
In spring 2008, NHS East Lancashire decided to implement an in-house mediation service as an alternative way to deal with workplace conflict. The Trust commissioned Consensio to provide a bespoke in-house accredited mediation training course to delegates who would subsequently work as in-house mediators. NHS East Lancashire, which has 2,800 employees, provides and funds health services to 388,400 residents in the local Lancashire region.
NHS East Lancashire’s in-house mediation scheme comprises 15 accredited mediators. In the 18 months since the scheme was developed, the in-house mediators have undertaken 23 mediations, of which 22 have resulted in a written agreement. This translates to a 96% success rate. In addition, the formal processes have been reduced by 60% since spring 2008, and the scheme has resulted in cost-savings of over £200,000 to the Trust.
“Although the scheme has only existed for 18 months, it has already made a fundamental impact on the Trust, in terms of culture change, cost and time savings. The bespoke training from Consensio provided us with a formal framework to prepare and plan for difficult mediations. We are very pleased with the outcome of the scheme and continue to work with Consensio to ensure success in the future,” said Karen Bailey, Change Consultant, NHS East Lancashire.
“The accredited mediation training was a great success as we worked in partnership with the Trust to develop and deliver a training course that reflected the culture of the Trust and the needs of the delegates. We wrote each case study in conjunction with NHS East Lancashire to make sure that delegates were practicing conflict situations they may encounter in their future case load,” said Alex Efthymiades, Director of Consensio. “We are pleased that we could be a part of such a great success.”
A case study of NHS East Lancashire, which explores how the in-house mediation scheme was set up and which includes key measures of success, is available for download at: www.consensiopartners.co.uk
About Consensio:
Consensio is a leading provider of conflict management and workplace mediation solutions to organisations across the UK. Consensio believes that each client is unique and its team of experts pride themselves in creating and delivering cost-effective bespoke solutions to help manage workplace conflict. Consensio works in partnership with its clients and offers an array of services, including: mediation, coaching, consultancy and accredited training. Consensio’s customers span small organisations to FTSE 100 enterprises, in the private, public and third sectors across the UK. For more information about Consensio, please visit: www.consensiopartners.co.uk