Health Management and Policy Alert

A review of the fit and proper person test

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This independent review, led by Tom Kark QC, considers how effectively the fit and proper persons test prevents unsuitable staff from being redeployed or re-employed in health and social care settings. It sets out seven recommendations, including: developing competencies for directors; making a central database of directors’ qualifications, training and appraisals; and expanding the definition of serious misconduct. The current fit and proper persons test is designed to ensure that senior staff who are responsible for quality and safety of care are fit and proper to be in their roles. The test applies to directors in the NHS, the independent healthcare sector and the adult social care sector.

• Review
• More detail

Closing the gap: key areas for action on the health and care workforce

The King's Fund - 

Staffing is the make-or-break issue for the NHS in England. In this joint report with the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation, we set out the policy actions that need to be at the heart of the workforce implementation plan due to be published later this year.

• Report
• More detail

Clinical oncology: UK workforce census report 2018

Royal College of Radiologists - 

Based on data from every UK cancer hospital, this report reveals: one-in-six UK cancer centres now operates with fewer clinical oncology consultants than five years ago; vacancies for clinical oncology posts are now double what they were in 2013 – with more than half of vacant posts empty for a year or more; the UK’s clinical oncology workforce is currently 18 per cent understaffed - without investment the shortfall is predicted to grow to at least 22 per cent by 2023; and to close the gap between supply and demand for cancer doctors, oncology trainee numbers need to at least double and even with that investment, the gap would not be closed until 2029.

• Report
• Press release

The wider public health workforce: a review

Public Health England - 

This review identifies three broad categories of work completed by the wider public health workforce: leading and advocating for health; influencing the wider determinants of health; and direct contact with individuals and communities. It reports on progress to date to engage and develop the wider public health workforce across a range of sectors: healthcare; social care; emergency services; VCSE; education; employment; criminal justice; housing; and planning.

• Review
• More detail

Consultation response: The National Health Service Pension Scheme, Additional Voluntary Contributions and Injury Benefits (Amendment) Regulations 2019

Department of Health and Social Care -
The original consultation ran from 18 December 2018 to 28 January 2019 and proposals included changes to contribution rates, providing civil partners and same sex spouses with the same survivor pension rights as widows, and extending the current forfeiture of pension benefits rules. The government received almost 1,500 responses to the consultation. This report summarises the consultation findings and the government’s response.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - consultations

Maximising the potential: essential measures to support SAS doctors

Health Education England -
This report outlines measures to support Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors sets out how Health Education England, NHS Improvement, NHS Employers and other partners will work together to support and develop SAS doctors. The guidance describes measures including effective induction and appraisal to support and develop their careers and using their skills in ways that realise their full potential.

• Report
• Health Education England - news

NHS staff survey 2018: national results briefing

NHS Survey Coordination Centre -
The latest NHS staff survey shows a decline in overall levels of wellbeing and an increase in the numbers of staff reporting discrimination.

• Survey results
• NHS Survey Coordination Centre - related documents

Brexit: the implications for health and social care

The King's Fund

Brexit has major implications for health and social care in England. Here we look at some of the latest developments that could impact the health and care system in England.

Long read

Mental Wellbeing Commission report

NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Commission - 

As part of Health Education England’s health and care workforce strategy, the NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Commission set out to discover and review evidence of good practices for the mental health and wellbeing of staff and learners in NHS organisations. Health Education England recognises its central role in supporting the current and future workforce to deliver high quality, safe care and the Commission has examined successful interventions from around the country, to identify what has worked well and what could be adopted widely.

• Report
• More detail

Training routes into the NHS

NHS Employers - 

This infographic shows the additional options that are available to complement traditional training and recruitment routes. The resource can help employers to identify and consider additional routes that can be used to: support workforce challenges; recruit from the local community; and build career pathways.

• Infographic
• More detail