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HR Directors' Bulletin, Issue 91, 25 August 2004

  • Last modified date:
    20 August 2007

Alerts HR directors to publications, circulars and announcements from the Department of Health. It is emailed to HR Directors every fortnight, usually on Wednesdays.

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1. Agenda for change: Timeframe update and documentation (Gateway reference 3706)

Agenda for Change will go ahead on the 1st December 2004 subject to second ballots, but with harmonisation of unsocial hours payments deferred to 1st April 2006. The review carried out by the Shadow Executive of the Shadow NHS Staff Council has concluded that the system can be implemented within available resources, but that a realistic target for completion of assimilation would be September 2005. A copy of the joint statement issued by the Shadow Executive on 11 August 2004 is available in the Agenda for Change section of the DH website. Final drafts of the Proposed Agreement and other documents to support Agenda for Change implementation subject to second ballots are now also available. These final drafts will be received by the Shadow NHS Staff Council on 2 September, and formally published as soon as possible thereafter.

A national group of Strategic Health Authorities, finance directors and performance management continue to work on an Agenda for Change costings model but given the review outcomes this will need modification and will be available as soon as possible.

In addition, a staff booklet is being finalised. Copies of the booklet will be forwarded to all NHS organisations as soon as possible. It will be important to distribute them to staff as soon as possible following receipt in order to fully inform staff of the changes. This can be done through payroll distribution, staff events or other communication channels.

Joint statement and Agenda for Change documentation

For further information please email:

2. Important changes to the GP Golden Hello Scheme in England from 1st April 2005 (Gateway reference 3685)

The Department of Health set out its intention to revise the Golden Hello scheme during the negotiations for the new GMS contract. The NHS Confederation and the BMA's General Practitioners Committee have begun this process and are now developing a revised Golden Hello programme with support from the Department of Health. It is expected that the existing scheme will end from 1st April 2005 to be replaced by new arrangements.

All parties are working toward a scheme that will be targeted at deprived and under doctored areas, rather than be applied universally and will provide increased scope for local discretion to tailor the scheme, primarily to meet local GP recruitment needs. It is important that all parties have early warning of these potential changes and begin to factor them into future plans. Discussions on the changes are continuing, with details to be announced in the autumn.

Inquiries about this article should be directed to Emlyn Jones at DH on 0113 254 6594.

3. Post registration development for nurses and midwives - A framework for planning, commissioning and delivering learning beyond registration for nurses and midwives - a DH consultation (Gateway reference 3579)

The consultation report, "Post registration development for Nurses and Midwives - A framework for planning, commissioning and delivering learning beyond registration for nurses and midwives" was published by the Department of Health on 20 August 2004. It is a product of the Nursing Task Group of the Strategic Learning & Advisory Group for Health and Social Care, chaired by the chief nursing officer for England. The report presents detailed findings on the current approach to the education and development of nurses and midwives beyond registration and makes recommendations on how these should be strengthened. It gives particular regard to terminology, levels of practice, the need or otherwise for accreditation and or regulation and opportunities for shared learning with other professions.

The report is now out for consultation until 15 November 2004. Views on the findings and recommendations should be sent to

Stuart Merritt
Department of Health,
Room 2E56, Quarry House,
Quarry Hill,
Leeds LS2 7UE
Stuart.Merritt@doh.gsi.gov.uk

For further information please email Stuart Merritt

4. Introduction to today's NHS: NHS corporate induction programme - additional technical information (Gateway reference 3729)

All NHS organisations should have received a copy of the NHSUs "Introduction to today's NHS" cd-rom, launched by Sir Nigel Crisp, NHS chief executive at the NHS Confederation conference on 25 June 2004. NHSU has tried to ensure this programme can be accessed by all systems; however, some organisations have reported problems with viewing the video components. These are easy to resolve and guidance explaining how to rectify these problems has been published on the NHSU website.

The Workforce Programme Board, the principal interface between SHAs and the Department of Health on workforce matters, has asked NHSU to report the number of people who have undertaken this programme. To enable NHSU to report on these figures, employers are reminded to complete the online reporting tool.

5. Key documents from National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE)

On 13 August 2004, the National Workforce Programme of NIMHE in collaboration with a number of partners including the Department of Health, published three documents as part of its programme to support local health and social care systems develop and take forward workforce issues.

i. Mental Health Workforce Strategy (Gateway reference 3235)

This publication sets out the Values and Vision of Mental Health services; the National Workforce Strategy Targets; the Organisational Context; and the six Key Aims of the Strategy. These are:

Workforce design and Planning
Recruitment and Retention
New Ways of Working
New Roles
Education, Training and Workforce Development
Leadership

For each of these Key Aims, the document sets out the Statement of importance, the Challenges, Actions to be taken, Development work in support of localities, and examples of good practice.

The document is intended for every person and organisation involved in Workforce Planning and Development

Hard copies can be obtained from dh@prolog.uk.com quoting 40276.

For further information contact: John Allcock, Associate Director, National Workforce Programme, NIMHE: email john.allcock@doh.gsi.gov.uk

ii. The ten essential shared capabilities (Gateway reference 3453)

This publication sets out a Framework for the Whole of the Mental Health Workforce across the NHS and Social Care and the statutory and non-statutory sectors by describing the Ten Essential Shared Capabilities (ESC) that the workforce should aspire to in the delivery of effective mental health services. The ESCs have been developed in consultation with service users and carers together with practitioners, and provide in one overarching statement, the headline capabilities required to achieve best practice for education and training of all staff who work in mental health services.

Hard copies can be obtained from dh@prolog.uk.com quoting 40339.

For further information contact: Peter Lindley, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health: email: peter.lindley@scmh.org.uk

iii. Guidance on new ways of working for psychiatrists in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency context (Gateway reference 3304)

This is an Interim Report from a multi-agency working group set up to look at the challenges of a limited supply of staff in all professional groups which means that a review of the roles, responsibilities and working practices across the role boundaries between the professions in the workforce is essential. It provides guidance to Trusts, consultant psychiatrists and other professionals on issues, such as medical responsibility and new models in order to promote flexibility for local practice to address shortages in psychiatrists and the need to work differently.

Hard copies can be obtained from dh@prolog.uk.com quoting 40379.

For further information contact: Roslyn Hope, Director, National Workforce Programme, NIMHE:

6. Sharing strengths in efm - a recruitment and retention handbook from NHS Estates (Gateway reference 3173)

A recruitment and retention handbook 'Sharing Strengths in efm' (estates and facilities management) was published in July 2004 by NHS Estates. It is based on the 'Sharing Strengths NHS Recruitment Handbook' and contains information, resources and good practice around recruitment and retention in estates and facilities. The handbook is aimed at estates and facilities managers and HR Teams.

Hard copies are available from beverley.denton@doh.gsi.gov.uk or 0113 254 7105.

7. Human Resources Management Training Scheme welcomes the first national HR graduate trainees into the NHS (Gateway reference 3661)

The new Human Resources Management Training Scheme (HRMTS) graduates start work in the NHS on 1st September. Eighteen people were recruited from 766 initial applications and they will undertake a comprehensive two-year fast-track development programme to equip them to become Directors of HR in 5-10 years time. Each trainee will be based in accredited HR departments within a health economy. Throughout the scheme the graduates will receive support from HR professionals within their placement organisations and from graduate schemes staff.

For further information on the HR Scheme please visit the NHS Modernisation Agency  or contact Alex Bush, Programme Lead, on: 07880 723 759 or email alex.bush@doh.gsi.gov.uk

i. Breaking Through: Leadership and Race Equality national conference - 13 October 2004 (Gateway reference 3661)

The NHS Leadership Centre is holding Breaking Through: Leadership and Race Equality in the NHS at the ICC in Birmingham on 13 October 2004, a national conference for

  • people from a black and minority ethnic background who are aiming to move into a leadership role within the NHS
  • chief executives and other senior managers and HR professionals seeking to develop greater diversity within their NHS organisations and committed to promoting race equality in the workplace

This conference will allow delegates to explore development opportunities and discuss the leadership challenges around race equality in the workforce. Chaired by award winning broadcaster, Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, this high profile event will feature eminent speakers from within the NHS including Sir Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the NHS and the Rt. Hon. John Hutton MP, minister of state, Department of Health.

The cost of the event to NHS delegates will be £75. To register please go to the Modernisation Agengy's site Breaking Through.

For further information email breakingthrough@glasgows.co.uk

ii. The London NHS: Working for health? How NHS employers can contribute to local regeneration - 8th November 2004 (Gateway reference 3731)

The London NHS Confederation, in partnership with the Kings Fund, will be holding a key one-day conference on Monday 8th November in London. 'The London NHS: Working for health? How NHS employers can contribute to local regeneration' has been designed for senior HR professionals and other board members. The aim of the day is to identify and promote best practice in linking HR strategies with the development of local economies including community regeneration programmes. The event will be chaired by Alastair Henderson, Acting Director, the NHS Employers Organisation, and Niall Dickson, Chief Executive, The King's Fund. A detailed programme will be available shortly.

The full cost of the event to NHS delegates will be £125+VAT; however, until 10 September, delegates can take advantage of a special early booking rate of £75 + VAT.

Please contact Rachel Baker on 020 7959 7262 or email rachel.baker@nhsconfed.org to reserve your place on this high profile event.

iii. Improving Working Lives for Doctors Conference 2004 - 6 December 2004 (Gateway reference 3732)

The Improving Working Lives for Doctors (IWL) Conference 2004 will be held at The QEII Conference Centre in London on Monday 6th December 2004. This event will be hosted by the Department of Health in partnership with the new Employers' Organisation at the NHS Confederation; the Doctors' Forum; and the Intercollegiate IWL Committee. It is aimed at senior hospital doctors and GPs, staff and associate specialist doctors, junior doctors, medical students, allied professionals and human resource representatives from SHAs/WDCs/NHS Trusts.

The conference agenda will focus on what you, as medical professionals, have identified as being vital to improving your working lives. The conference is designed to explore solutions to your issues and the actions required to implement those solutions. This conference has been approved for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits. Delegates who attend the entire meeting may claim 6 CPD credits.

Places for the conference are limited and cost £95+vat. To register please see the link below: Improving working lives for doctors 2004

For further information email iwl@glasgows.co.uk

9. Communications

i. Primary Care Contracting Update

The primary care contracting website has now been updated with the latest news stories.

Visit the site:

10. Press releases

All Department of Health press releases are published on the Department's web site under 'Publications and Statistics' and then the sub heading 'Press releases'. Below we include some that may be of HR interest.

Improvements to childhood immunisation programme, 9 August 2004, press release 2004/0302

Drive for more doctors and nurses from deprived backgrounds, 10 August 2004, press release 2004/0303

NHS Careers steps up campaign success, 11 August 2004, press release 2004/0304

Proposals for new European health insurance card, 16 August 2004, press release 2004/0307

New initiative to develop medicines for children, 17 August 2004, press release 2004/0309

Better access to phamacies and more choice for patients, 18 August 2004, press release 2004/0310

Freedom for ambulance staff to deliver healthcare tailored to patients' needs, 19 August 2004, press release 2004/0311

General Dental Council to get more teeth, 20 August 2004, press release 2004/0312

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