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Department of Health welcomes the King's Fund report on new Centre of Excellence for workforce planning

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 30 January 2009

A new Centre of Excellence that will help local NHS organisations deliver better and more efficient workforce planning, was announced by the Department of Health today.

Following a three month consultation with the service, this centre will provide the NHS with high quality intelligence that informs their workforce planning and strengthens decision making at every level in the health and social care system. Local service providers and commissioners will be better informed and supported to plan their workforce and make key decisions around their education, deployment and development.

A report by The King's Fund, commissioned by the Department of Health, found that a Centre of Excellence would:

* Be an objective, credible source of workforce intelligence, analysis and evidence for the health and social care system;
* Facilitate access to high quality leadership, technical and management development support relating to workforce strategy and planning;
* Provide a one stop-shop for expert advice and support for workforce strategy and planning;
* Take a longer-term perspective on workforce trends informed by an analysis of the broader environment; and
* Ensure improved coordination of activities and reducing duplication in workforce planning.

The King's Fund observed broad support at all levels for the Centre and their report provides a constructive framework to build on in designing and implementing the Centre in 2009.

Clare Chapman, Director General NHS and Social Care Workforce, said:

"Improving workforce planning across the health service is a key commitment of the NHS Next Stage Review. Providers and commissioners know what workforce works best for their local communities and we want ensure they have access to the best possible intelligence, advice and information. A Centre of Excellence will provide a useful resource for the NHS, supporting and enabling better workforce planning across the service."

Alastair Henderson, Joint Director of NHS Employers said:

"NHS Employers supports the creation of a Centre for Excellence for workforce planning which can provide expert advice and support to local employers and the service to improve the complex task of planning the healthcare workforce requirements for the future. The publication of the King's Fund report on its consultation provides a useful framework on which implementation can be built and we look forward to the developing clarity on the role of the Centre."

The Department of Health will be hosting two national events in partnership with the NHS in February to develop the the King's Fund recommendations.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. For media enquiries, please call the Department of Health Media Centre on 020 7210 5221

2. The King's Fund report on "The Centre of Excellence" can be found at: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/centreofexcellence

3. The Centre is part of the ambitious programme of reform for workforce planning, education and training set out in the NHS Next Stage Review: A High Quality Workforce in June 2008.

4. The Department, together with its NHS partners, will be hosting two national events on the Centre of Excellence in February (4th and 10th). These will provide an opportunity to communicate and build a shared understanding of the role of the Centre within the workforce planning system, and the value it will bring to workforce strategy and planning at all levels. The events will also provide an opportunity to take forward a number of the King's Fund recommendations, to identify emerging priorities for the Centre and set bold yet realistic expectations for the timescale for delivery.

5. The business specification for the Centre is being developed and
procurement will commence in March 2009 with a view to the supplier being identified by July 2009. The Department is hosting an open day on 18 February to bring together potential bidders and update them on the latest thinking on the Centre of Excellence, the likely timetable for implementation and to seek market intelligence.