Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce ...

Q29: What should be the scope for central investment through the Multi-Professional Education and Training budget? Firstly, need clarity around the terms “next generation of clinical staff” eg does thisinclude trainee doctors, or are these people part of the current workforce engaged inservice delivery Initiatives that contribute towards a managed workforce market Commissioning and development of smaller professional groups National policy initiatives, eg current increase in health visitors must be fundednationally or left to local providers to determine need There is a case for central investment in areas which underpin education andworkforce development to deliver best value for money and avoid duplication Need to ensure close working with HEIs as many education providers are currentlyreviewing their own programmes and as a result there may be cases for joined upapproaches by Skills Network or direct central investment.Q30: How can we ensure funding streams do not act as a disincentive to innovationand are able to support changes in skill mix? Ring- fenced funding for education and training, but flexibility within that Funding streams for care pathways with local skills networks to determine the skillsgaps along those pathways Remit for skills networks to deliver innovation in workforce and education and buildthe evidence-base Longer-term commitment to funding – at least three years or fund commissionoutcomes rather than inputs.Q31: How can we manage the transition to tariffs for clinical education and training ina way that provides stability, is fair and minimises the risks to providers? Retain the current MPET funding streams for two to three years to fund the newarrangements and ensure focus on delivery of healthcare workforce development Transition to tariffs to be assessed alongside the impact of other changes in financeand not in isolation in order to determine the issues and plan transition Long lead times have been previously discussed – phased in over four years Too much change too soon will seriously destabilise large providers with minimalbenefit to organisations set to gain. Let the new systems bed in before further change Clarity needed around the negotiation of the benchmark price and how HEE will beperformance managed to undertake this task This must apply to all sectors.Q32: If tariffs are introduced, should the determination of the costs and tariffs foreducation and training be part of the same framework as service tariffs? Possibly, but need to know if there is a presumed element of education and trainingin service tariffs already in existence Education and training tariffs should be clearly set out separately from service tariffsand would then need to include recognition of education and training the wholeworkforce.South Central Strategic Health Authority – DHW Consultation Response 12