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Human resources and training
- Workplace planning
- More staff
- Model employer
- Model career
- Modernising pay
- Professional standards
- Education, training and development
- Workforce capacity
- NHS workforce scorecard
- Improving staff morale
- Building people management skills
- Performance management and research and development
- National Task Force on Violence
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More staff
The increase of staff numbers is one of two key objectives in the NHS Plan to deliver an improved health service. Improved patient access and choice, shorter waiting times, and improved standards of care depend on it. This section outlines the strategies the NHS is using to expand its workforce.
NHS Employers
NHS Employers, the organisation for the NHS in England was launched on 1st November 2004 by the NHS Confederation. Created as part of moves to shift the balance of power away from Whitehall, the Confederation, through NHS Employers, is taking over responsibility for large parts of the workforce agenda from the Department of Health. The Recruitment, Retention and Return team at NHS Employers will be able to provide advice and support on a wide range of issues including international recruitment, Improving Working Lives, childcare and doctors' recruitment, retention and return initiatives
Appointment of consultants
The guidance below is for use by NHS Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities when making appointments to consultant posts. It provides good practice guidance on the NHS (Appointment of Consultants) Amendment Regulations 2004 (Statutory Instrument 2004 No. 3365)
Medical Training Initiative
The Medical Training Initiative is designed to allow a small number of doctors to enter the UK from overseas to benefit from training and development in NHS services, before returning to their home countries. It can support the UK’s international development objectives and helps foster exchange programmes between NHS and overseas organisations. The scheme operates under Tier 5 of the points based system for UK immigration. Tier 5 allows permission to enter the UK for overseas nationals coming to undertake exchanges or education and training initiatives sponsored by government departments. The Medical Training Initiative is the scheme operated in the NHS for doctors and is sponsored by the Department of Health.
National recruitment campaigns
The NHS national recruitment campaigns aim to attract new recruits and encourage skilled nursing staff to return to practice. The electronic recruitment project aims to connect local NHS employers to national recruitment more effectively.
Flexible careers and returner schemes
The Flexible Careers and Returner Schemes for hospital doctors and GPs have enabled flexible working arrangements, including support to those wanting to return to work, to be embedded in the NHS. Strategic health authorities are now responsible for defining the future arrangements for the schemes in their locality.
NHS Golden Hello scheme
The Golden Hello Scheme for General Practitioners was replaced by the The Primary Care Development Scheme.
International recruitment: NHS employers
International recruitment is a small but significant part of the drive to expand the NHS workforce. Well-qualified health professionals from other countries can work for either a short stay or an extended period. This section provides more information for NHS employers interested in this method of recruitment.
International recruitment: healthcare professionals
Routes of entry for professionals who are interested in working in the NHS:
Overseas Clinical Teams
Overseas clinical teams are a flexible resource to help the NHS offer choice and to manage their waiting list demand.
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