Delegation is an art – it builds trust, develops skills in those to whom tasks have been delegated and frees the delegator to work on other priorities. Effective delegation is fundamental to leadership and time management. In clinical practice, delegation involves asking a colleague to provide treatment or care on your behalf. Although you will not be accountable for the decisions and actions of those to whom you delegate, you are still responsible for the overall management of the patient and accountable for your decision to delegate.

Why delegate?

There are many obvious benefits to delegation:

• It shows you have faith in the people with whom you work

• It gives you more time to focus on important activities

• It utilizes your management skills

• It helps to develop and motivate staff

• It transfers work to individuals whose skills in a particular area are better than yours.