Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce ...

Q18: How should we ensure that sector-wide education and training plans areresponsive to the strategic commissioning intentions of the NHS CommissioningBoard? Agree that NHS Commissioning Board is represented on HEE for checks andbalances Strongest line should be from the NHS Commissioning Board to GP commissionersthrough to healthcare providers and skills networks to ensure local responsibility andnot create a tension between top down and bottom up (recognising that may thencreate tension between NCB and GP commissioners)Q19: Who should have responsibility for enforcing the duties on providers inrelation to consultation, the provision of workforce information, and cooperationin planning the workforce and in the planning and provision of professionaleducation and training? This responsibility should lie with the skills networks as part of self-regulation andmanagement working with CQC, Monitor and CfWI This would mean that the skills networks would need to be able to legally implementsanctions and incentives This should follow the principle that nothing is done nationally that can be donelocally.Q20: What support should Skills for Health offer healthcare providers duringtransition? Ensure that the system supports development of bands 1-4 of the workforce (checksand balances) and link to existing work such as the National Transferable RolesNetwork Provide advice and guidance for GP consortia and emerging skills networks Continue the much valued current tasks and functions throughout the transitionperiod.Q21: What is the role for a sector skills council in the new framework? As has already been suggested, a streamlined system should include the work of thesectors skills council as fully integrated into HEE and the skills network framework Representation at HEE and skills network “boards” Working alongside skills networks to continued role of support to and for providers ofWidening Participation and the development of the Bands 1-4 workforce includingapprenticeships.Q22: How can the healthcare provider skills networks and HEE best secure clinicalleadership locally and nationally? Ensure clinicians are represented locally and nationally and engaged in workforcedevelopment Ensure links between local and national clinicians – preferably through existingstructures such as professional bodies and networks Integrate HEE and NLC for a streamlined system Create whole career approach involving inter-professional leadership at all levels toensure that we develop people able to take on these roles.South Central Strategic Health Authority – DHW Consultation Response 9