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NHS Workforce Bulletin
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| Issue 168 | 15 June 2009 |
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In this issue |
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1. New shortage occupation list from today |
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The new shortage occupation list for recruiting from overseas went live today and applies to advertisements placed on or after 15 June 2009. A number of non-consultant, non-training medical posts have been added to the list. The list, which is used with Tier 2 of the points-based system for managing migration, is partially reviewed every six months by the Migration Advisory Committee. For more details see our latest news page. Employers with views and evidence to support the continued inclusion of those occupations on the list, or to request any additions, are encouraged to email recruitmentandretention@nhsemployers.org.
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2. Transitional arrangements: UK trained postgraduate doctors and dentists |
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Employers will be able to recruit postgraduate doctors and dentists who have qualified from a UK university into accredited training posts without applying the resident labour market test, as part of transitional arrangements announced by the UK Border Agency last week. These arrangements will apply to the 2009 recruitment process only while further work with key stakeholders explores the options under the points-based system for immigration. See our international recruitment pages for further information.
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3. NHS urged to test pandemic flu plans |
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National director for NHS flu resilience at the Department of Health , Ian Dalton, told a breakfast meeting at the NHS Confederation annual conference in Liverpool last week that the NHS was well prepared for a probable swine flu pandemic but the issue needs to be on board agendas. He said organisations need to use the summer months to test their plans and work out how to fill gaps ahead of the autumn/winter, for example, working out how to vaccinate frontline staff and move staff around. Infrastructure issues, staff engagement and the need to share good practice were also discussed. See NHS Employers’ flu preparation web page for our guidance and see the NHS Confederation’s statement on the swine flu pandemic on its latest news page.
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4. Chief executive needed for pandemic flu group |
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The NHS Confederation is seeking a chief executive to join the Pandemic Influenza Clinical Operational group. The group advises Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson on the operational and NHS services issues which will arise in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak. The NHS Confederation is keen to ensure this group has frontline service representation and Sir Liam is keen to get a managerial perspective. If your chief executive would like to be involved, please email steven.weeks@nhsemployers.org by Friday 19 June.
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5. Dealing with the downturn paper |
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An NHS Confederation paper forecasting a real terms shortfall of £15bn for the NHS from 2011 attracted extensive media coverage last week. Launched at its annual conference and exhibition on 10 June, the paper said that action is required now if the NHS is to remain true to its founding principles. It also warned that many of the options of past slowdowns in funding, which included cutting training, across the board budget cuts, reducing quality and allowing waiting lists to grow could prove counter-productive and ultimately lead to extra costs. Find out more on the NHS Confederation website.
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6. European agreement on needlestick injury prevention |
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On 2 June 2009, the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers’ Association (HOSPEEM) reached agreement in principle with the European Public Sector Unions (EPSU) on measures to prevent incidences of sharps injuries in the healthcare sector. Safe and productive workplaces are a core priority for NHS organisations and NHS Employers welcomes this agreement, which is likely to be transposed into a European Directive. The NHS already complies with the highest health and safety standards and we believe that the agreement will help protect both staff and patients across the European Union. See our European and international web pages for more details.
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7. NHS Employers at the NHS Confederation conference |
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Professor Beverly Alimo Metcalfe looked at what type of leadership the NHS needs, making a passionate case for an engaging style of leadership to meet current challenges at the NHS Confederation annual conference and exhibition in Liverpool last week. Other sessions featured Dr James Mountford of McKinsey Healthcare and Andrew Rosen of the International Hospital group and Dr Graeme Rich of the United Bristol Hospital Foundation Trust discussing clinical leadership. Considering future workforce challenges were Sandwell Hospital Trust’s John Adler, Guys and St Thomas’ Dr Ted Baker and Unison’s Mike Jackson. Find out more on the conference website.
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8. Have your say on general surgery subspecialty training |
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The Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) wants to change the way future general surgeons are trained, by accrediting them in a subspecialty. After completion of Core Surgical Training (CT1 and CT2) and two years in ST3 and ST4 spent across the generality of surgery, all trainees would spend the next four years undergoing subspecialty training. NHS Employers has been asked for a service viewpoint on the proposals and is keen to hear from employers by 26 June. For more information on the JCST proposals and key questions for employers see our specialty training web pages.
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9. Carol Baxter and Barbara Hakin named in honours list |
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Congratulations to all our health sector colleagues honoured in Saturday’s Queen’s birthday honours list. Among those commended was NHS Employers’ head of equality and diversity and human rights, Professor Carol Baxter, who was honoured with a CBE. Dr Barbara Hakin, chief executive of East Midland Strategic Health Authority, is also chief negotiator for NHS Employers on the General Medical Services contract and has been honoured as Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire. See our media centre for more details.
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10. Smart cards and ESR, vetting and barring events |
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Secure your place for NHS Employers’ information sessions on the Electronic Staff Record and the new Vetting and Barring Scheme in June and July. Ensure your organisation does not miss the chance to get updated with the latest information. Register your free place on the event pages of our website.
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11. Leading workforce thinking |
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NHS Employers' annual conference and exhibition 2009 is your chance to hear leading-edge thinking from high profile speakers, get inspiration and share good practice and network with colleagues from around the country. Held in Birmingham from 3 to 5 November 2009, this event is not to be missed. Visit the conference website to book your place.
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12. Health and Safety Executive pledge |
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as part of its new health and safety strategy for the UK, has issued a challenge to employers to sign up to a pledge which commits them to taking a lead on health and safety in the workplace. The pledge includes reducing the number of work-related deaths, debunking the myths around health and safety, reducing accidents and recognising the importance of health and safety in difficult economic times. For further details and to sign up to the pledge please visit the HSE website.
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13. Representing you |
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Last week our directors attended the NHS Confederation’s annual conference in Liverpool and took part in a briefing for delegates about NHS Employers. They set out some of our key priorities and discussed with delegates issues including raising NHS productivity, long-term sustainability of the pension scheme and talent management. They also attended the Association of UK university hospitals HR Directors meeting in Birmingham, Reform’s Future of Health event and the North West regional SPF meeting in Manchester.
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15. Further interest |
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NHS Confederation publications launched last week
The NHS Confederation launched a range of publications last week at its annual conference and exhibition in Liverpool. Visit the publications page to find out more and download the documents.
Consultation: merger of PMETB and GMC
The Department of Health (DH) is consulting on the legislation to merge the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) and the General Medical Council (GMC) as outlined in the final recommendations of the Tooke inquiry. The consultation closes on 28 August and NHS Employers will be responding on behalf of NHS organisations. Find out more on the DH website.
Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards 2009
These awards aim to recognise outstanding achievement among the healthcare professionals caring for service personnel, veterans and their dependents. Any individual or team working in the Defence Medical Services, the NHS, or in private or voluntary sector organisations across the UK is eligible for an award. Nominations close on Friday 26 June. Visit www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org.
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