Introduction There is a growing need to find innovative solutions to the complex problems facing the NHS. Despite evidence supporting the importance of effective clinical leadership in the provision of high-quality patient-centred healthcare, many doctors remain reluctant or lack the confidence to take up leadership positions. An undergraduate syllabus provides the opportunity to equip medical students with the knowledge and skills required to become future leaders and innovators of the NHS.

Aims To enable students to overcome the barriers preventing involvement in leadership and management, including: a) Unfamiliarity with operational structures b) Lack of management experience c) Differences in approach between clinicians and non-clinical managers

Methods The proposed undergraduate curriculum would comprise three themes:

1. Organisational structure of the NHS (including local and national commissioning processes)

2. Organisational problem-solving (including healthcare management models)

3. Interdisciplinary engagement (including with non-clinical managers)

Teaching will include lectures, e-learning modules and small-group tutorials, incorporated mainly into existing teaching provisions. Learning outcomes will be assessed through formative feedback, reflective essays and self-assessment.

Results This curriculum would enable medical students to understand the organisational hierarchy of the NHS, provide transferrable negotiation and problem-solving skills and foster a culture of respect between medical and non-medical staff, as well as encouraging a resilient attitude to workplace problems.

Conclusion A leadership-orientated, clinically-focused and easy-to-implement curriculum has been presented. Through its delivery, future doctors will have the leadership and management tools required to transform and deliver services. This will help create a positive culture of innovation with standards of excellence that will shape the future of the NHS.