Recent discussions and thinking from the policy board have led to the publication of our briefing, Leading the NHS workforce through to recovery, which was launched at our annual conference in Birmingham on 2 November 2009. It includes an employer's checklist for economic recovery, case studies and resources to support trusts with the financial challenges ahead.
The board also has two national forums - the Medical Workforce Forum and the Healthcare Professions Advisory Board - which facilitate debate and have their own work programme to support employers. In addition we are setting up a Primary Care subgroup, which will advise the board on the strategic direction of travel that General Medical Services contract negotiations might take over the longer term.
The board meets around five times a year and its key functions are to:
- provide a steer on the direction of travel for both the organisation and policy development
- ratify negotiating positions
- sign off Pay Review Body and other evidence, and formal responses to consultations
- consider the workforce and employment implications of existing and emerging national policies
- influence key stakeholders
- oversee and hold to account the work of the national forums.
The policy board is made up of 27 members who are elected to bring the perspective of a particular work area or profession. The role of members is to:
- act as high level ambassadors for NHS Employers locally and nationally
- attend and participate in policy board meetings
- feed in the views of their organisation, colleagues and networks
- represent NHS Employers in local and national media or events where appropriate
- support high-level discussions as appropriate with key stakeholders including Ministers and DH officials.
The board will meet on the following dates in 2010:
- Wednesday 10 February
- Wednesday 21 April
- Wednesday 14 July
- Wednesday 15 September
- Tuesday 16 November
For more information contact rita.loring@nhsemployers.org