Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

HR Directors' Bulletin, Issue 88, 13 July 2004

  • Last modified date:
    30 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.

Select a section

1. Agenda for Change Joint Statement

Representatives of the four UK Health Departments, NHS management and the NHS trade unions have issued a further Joint Statement about Agenda for Change. The headline is that the operational date for moving staff on to the new terms and conditions is now 1 December 2004 with pay backdated to 1 October. Whilst RCN are disappointed at this delay they acknowledge that it will:

  • end the uncertainty for the NHS on the timetable and allows two extra months for them to prepare;
  • support the democratic processes for the unions with second ballots by giving them the additional time they need.
  • support the unions who have already agreed to the new system by ensuring they are not disadvantaged

The NHS should continue its preparation work for roll-out.

The full Joint Statement can be found on the DH website:

2. The Department for Trade and Industry Working Time consultation

The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) are conducting a preliminary consultation on long hours working in the UK and the application and operation of the Working Time opt out.

This consultation paper does not contain Government proposals for changes to law. This is an information gathering process which will help inform future policy developments and negotiations on the Working Time Directive.

For further information on the consultation and how you can respond, please see the following web link DTI employment regulations.

Contact: Tracy Hudson, DTI, Tel: 020 7215 5925 Email:

3. Skills Escalator Resource Pack

The Department of Health has developed a resource pack to help increase awareness and understanding of the Skills Escalator and to help NHS employers adopt the approach in their organisations.

The resource pack contains reference cards and a CD Rom, which includes a video featuring examples of staff members who have benefited from the Skills Escalator approach already. The pack provides both an overview for those who are new to the idea and direct access to more detailed guidance on specific issues such as pre-employment schemes and role redesign.

The Skills Escalator Resource Pack is available from the Department of Health publications line: 08701 555455 please quote 40138, for further information:

4. IPAS Launches HR Information for Ambulance Services

The Improvement Partnership for Ambulance Services (IPAS) launched this week HR Information for Ambulance Services, a document which offers information on key HR policy for specific use by the Ambulance Service. The document lists and compares, in an easily readable format all the HR regulations set out by IWL, CHI and the Department.

5. Gateway to Leadership

Gateway to Leadership is a new way of helping HR Directors identify, recruit and develop the leaders of the future. Gateway to Leadership recruits graduate managers who already have an outstanding management track record working outside of the NHS and who have the potential and commitment to become a director in an NHS organisation within two to four years.

If NHS organisations have a highly demanding general or HR role that they would like to fill, the NHS Leadership Centre is currently recruiting for the Gateway to Leadership 2004 intake. 56 experienced managers who are looking for leadership roles within the NHS are placed within NHS Trusts throughout the UK. Participants of the scheme will be able to take on roles with substantial responsibility and help deliver measurable improvements in services for patients and users.

If HR Directors are interested in filling a senior role within their organisation they should discuss it with their chief executive as they will have received a separate message via the CE bulletin.

For further information on Gateway to Leadership visit the website at:

6. Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection

Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection was published by SoS on 12th July. The document outlines plans to cut HCAI levels and improve hospital cleanliness through: national standards; public information on MRSA rates; involving patients in monitoring progress; rolling out the NPSA cleanyourhands campaign; developing a Matron's charter; learning from best practice and harnessing the latest research and technology.

The full document is available below:

7. Notification of NHSU Board Meeting

NHSU's next Board meeting to be held in public will be at 10.00am on Thursday 22 July 2004 at NHSU, 88 Wood St. London EC2V 7RS. Agenda items will include a progress report from Chief Executive/Vice Chancellor Designate, Professor Bob Fryer, discussion of NHSU's quality processes and approval of NHSU's annual account for 2003/4

If you would like to attend please contact: Keith Eales, Board Secretary - Tel: 020 8528 1585 or email keith.eales@nhsu.org.uk

Meetings of the Board will take place bi-monthly in London at 10.00am on 30 September and 23 November 2004. A full agenda and relevant board papers will be available at the NHSU's site:

8. Communications

i. Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Newsletter - July Edition

The latest edition of ESR News is available on the ESR website providing an update on project progress.

For further information please contact esrcommunications@mckesson.co.uk

ii. Primary Care Contracting Update

The primary care contracting update summarises all the latest news from the new primary care contracting website, which has been developed jointly by the Department of Health and the NHS Modernisation Agency (NatPact), in association with the National Primary Care Development Team.

To visit the news section direct go to

9. 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.

Huge expansion in NHS scans from next month, 29 June 2004, press release 2004/0239

Hutton announces plans for more super surgeries, 29 June 2004, press release 2004/0241

Modernising Medical Careers and BMA working groups start up, 29 June 2004, press release 2004/0244

Green light for ambulances on speeding fine problem, 2 July 2004, press release 2004/0245

Putting patients at the heart of the NHS, 7 July 2004, press release 2004/0251

Statistical Press Notice: Waiting times for May 2004, 9 July 2004, press release 2004/0255

Additional links

Help viewing PDFs

Help viewing PDFs

Useful tips to ensure you get the most from PDFs and the free Reader program. Topics covered include accessibility, troubleshooting and searching files.

Access keys