SYMBOLS OF THE NHS - UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES OF A GENERAL-HOSPITAL

This paper explores the organizational culture of a general hospital f rom a symbolic perspective. It is suggested that traditional symbols o r stereotypes associated with certain professions within the Health Se rvice may affect the way in which people both within and outside the N HS understand these professional roles. In particular, the hierarchy a nd power differentiations which exist (or are assumed to exist) betwee n professions may have an effect on any culture change programmes. The paper is based on a study of communications within a large general ho spital in the East Midlands. The idea is explored that these symbolic images of different health care groups may constitute an implicit elem ent in the organization culture of any British hospital and thereby in fluence the communications within it.