Website of the Department of Health

New online booking for courses

You may have read elsewhere in this bulletin that the new website has been launched. This includes a new online booking service. You can now browse national and regional training events and complete the simple online form to reserve your place. If you prefer, you can print the form and return it by post or fax. You will then receive a confirmation nearer the date of the event from your regional training facilitator (contact details on the booking page).

The new site is easier to navigate, and of particular benefit is the quick link for Training on the home page in the green 'Latest...Training programmes for NHS non-executives' section.

• View the training pages on the Appointments Commssion website (opens new window)

Regional activity

Several events took place in February including a new event, 'Mental Health Services Explained', in the West Midlands. In the North West, 121 delegates attended another new event, 'The Role of FT Board Members', with Bill Moyes speaking. The Northern, Yorkshire and East Midlands regions organised an event about the Freedom of Information Act with input from the Yorkshire Post as well as the SHAs. In the East Midlands a training day for non-execs in Trent was held, including a variety of topics and speakers over a full day. 

The Institute of Directors' Chartered Director modules continue in both the South West and North West. This programme is planned to continue through this year and into 2007. These events have had exceptional feedback and are being very well received.

Several other events on topics such as Audit Networking also feature in local calendars.

• View more information on regional events on the Appointments Commission website (opens new window)

Induction courses

The next non-executive induction event will take place in London on 26 and 27 April. The work in selecting and securing speakers is already well under way so delegates can look forward to a packed programme.

A chair induction took place on 20 and 21 of February at the MacDonald Dunkenhalgh Hotel, near Blackburn. The event feedback was excellent. The next event is planned for the 8 and 9 May in Oxford.

Finance Training

Two new finance training programmes are underway. The next few dates are included below and full details can be accessed through the website on the main Training and Development page.

The NED role in commissioning a patient-led NHS:

Finance skills for NEDs:

The locations are intended to maximise attendance, and are chosen based on recent attendance history.

For further information on all training matters please contact your regional training facilitator or call John Hunter, head of NHS training and development on 07990 780 998.

• Visit the Appointments Commission for information on local facilitators (opens new window)

FAQs

Recruitment and selection online

Details of the public appointments handled by the Appointments Commission are now available online.

The commission has appointed or re-appointed almost all the chairs and non-executives now serving in the NHS - around 3,500 people. It also appoints to national health bodies for the Department of Health such as NHS Blood and Transplant and the National Patient Safety Agency, and manages appointments for some other government departments.

The commission's website has a dedicated recruitment section, which includes:

Users can search according to reference number, county, NHS or other government department.

• Click here for the Appointment Commission's recruitment section. (opens new window)
• View details of all public appointment vacancies in England, and for vacancies at bodies which operate throughout the UK (opens new window)