Judges’ view

A clear example of cooperation and collaboration amongst several Trusts to overcome a long-standing workforce challenge in the NHS.

The North West Doctors in Training Collaborative Bank enables trainees to flexibly work locum shifts at participating Trusts in the region, through passporting substantive employment checks. This helps to improve the working lives of doctors in training, while supporting Trusts to fill locum shifts, avoiding costly agency fees. 18 Trusts committed to supporting the procurement process. A stakeholder engagement group was established with experts representing each Trust. A legal workstream liaised with solicitors to review contracts and agree a collaborative employment model. A procurement workstream agreed service specification to meet national guidelines on collaborative banks to improve fill rate, training experience and reduce reliance on agencies.

Key points

• Primary objective to improve trainee experience, offering choice of locum shifts and how paid
• Data sharing agreement built into Bank’s worker contract, where doctors agree to passport their substantive employment checks
• Procurement process included DiT/BMA representation with regular updates provided to the Local Negotiating Committee
• Supported by effective communications strategy to engage with DiTs, enhanced by clear branding.

Step into Care is an innovative distance learning sector-based work academy that brings together partners to attract and develop people with the right values to work in health and social care. The aim was to make adult social care a career of choice by clear career pathways across health and social care that promote development opportunities and support recruitment. 65% of those expressing an interest completed the education programme; of these 79% progressed onto placement; of these 82%  gained employment, 30% of successful appointments are from a BAME background.

Judges’ view

Effective implemtation of careful plan to recruit and retain doctors and build the future consultant workforce.

The Trust had an urgent need to reduce medical  vacancies. By recruiting overseas doctors with a bespoke Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration programme, they have achieved a 57% reduction in vacancies. The initial 11 doctors is now 18 with a pipeline of further doctors. With a 100% retention rate, all are actively engaged with CESR programme and are working towards becoming the future consultant workforce. Their annual locum spend has decreased.by over £1.5 million.

Judges’ view

Well-thought  programme to create clear career pathwayand promote recruitment to adult social care.