Obituary by Harry Downes. Hon. FMS

It is with great sadness that I report the death of ARTHUR HULME Hon. FMS. Arthur passed away suddenly but peacefully on Sunday14th March 2010 aged 94. He will be fondly remembered by all his colleagues in the NHS and IMS. He was married to Vera for over 60 years, they were not blessed with any children. Arthur was a proud Lancastrian and moved south to join the NHS.

In 1957 the Ministry of Health issued a directive allowing each Region to appoint up to seven “organisation & methods” (0&M) work study officers. Their purpose would be to carry out in-depth efficiency studies into methods of working – covering domestic services, laundry and linen services, gardening, laboratory procedures, nursing and other selected clinical areas.

Arthur Hulme joined the Manchester Regional Hospital Board as one of three work study officers in 1958. He had formerly been carrying out similar work in a range of industries. In September 1960, he became the East Anglian Region Hospital Board’s first Organisation and Methods Work Study Officer.

He quickly discovered that his appointment was generally viewed with trepidation and was faced with the prospect of having to “sell” himself.

The Region Medical Officer referred to the O&M & work study as a “gimmick” yet to be put to the test. The Treasurer was not convinced, particularly about what financial savings could be achieved The Regional Engineer was interested but fell silent when told Arthur was an expert on Laundries.

The climate among the 12 Hospital Management Committees (HMC)had yet to be tested. Arthur arranged a series of one-day seminars in Cambridge and all the heads of the HMC’s attended. Within two weeks large numbers of invitations arrived arrived in the secretaries office requesting work study surveys in the many departments of the region’s hospitals. With only a one man team it was proving a difficult task.

The first study was carried out in February 1961 on the portering services at Newmarket General Hospital. It generated more than 60 recommendations. An understanding was given that there would be no redundancies and that staff cuts, if necessary would be by natural wastage. This policy was pursued throughout the Region and further in-depth studies followed.

Eventually, management became more accustomed to the new services and within two years demand had grown. Between 1961 and 1967 more staff were recruited ans it was decided to set up “out-posted teams” of officers in the main hospital centres of Norwich,Ipswich,Peterborough and Cambridge.

In 1966, another milestone was reached (apart from England winning the world cup). The Region became the first to be allowed to carry out an experimental incentive bonus scheme, choosing for this purpose the group laundry at Bury St Edmunds. The scheme created nationwide interest and Arthur was eventually appointed to a national committee on pay and productivity in the NHS.

In 1968, the Government established a “Prices and Incomes Board”, which produced the important “Report 29″. The main thrust of this report was that staff employed in the public sector were among the lowest paid and that their productivity was very low. It recommended that steps should be taken to improve the situation.

The report led to the introduction of incentive schemes in many areas, including ancillary staff in the NHS. All schemes had to be self financing which meant that the new working practices would have to produce savings to cover the bonus payments. These schemes were also valuable from another viewpoint. They provided weekly “management controls” so that section managers could see how their departments were working. Such a system had never been known before in the NHS.

From its inception in 1961 until 1981, some 1,100 efficiency studies were carried out, resulting in considerable financial benefits and better working methods.

Arthur was also a founder member of the Cambridge Branch of the IMS, he was also a member of the Eastern Regional Board, which he served with distinction. He was very active in the formation of the Health Services Specialist and served on its board as secretary for over 20 years. In 1981 Arthur received the “Geographical Services Award” for outstanding contribution to the work of the Institute.

In spite of his heavy workload and commitment and to the IMS, Arthur still found time to carry out other activities. He was a member of the local Rambling club,the Bowling club and even a keen cyclist. Even at the age of 94 he cycled to the village every morning for a copy of his beloved “Guardian”. He was also founder member and vice-president of the Cambridge branch or the NHS Retirement Fellowship. At our last meeting before he died we were discussing matters relating to the Institute. He loved our profession and all it stands for. I am proud to have known Arthur and worked with him .