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.