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Evaluates the use of self‐managed learning (SML) in management development processes in health‐care settings. Focuses on the application of SML to region‐wide management development initiatives in the South West Thames Region of the UK National Health Service (NHS) from the late 1980s onwards.

Purpose – To review three key areas of work managed by the Team Resource Management and Patient Safety Team (TRM), itself part of the Clinical Governance Support Team. Design/methodology/approach – Information has been collected from TRM staff, UK NHS Trust staff, research publications and reports. Findings – As treatment programmes become more complex and health care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams, the quality of care and of patient safety is ever more dependent on effective team working. External support and expertise can be effective in helping clinical teams achieve their full potential. Safety and team work practices from other domains such as aviation can be successfully translated into the work of clinical teams. Specific coaching input can also improve the effectiveness of teams and, where teams are recognised as having difficulty working together, external support in particular approaches and techniques can resolve team working problems. Originality/value – This review summarises the benefits of a healthcare support function which is specifically dedicated to the understanding, supporting and shaping of clinical teams.