Bulletin
for allied health professionals
Voicepiece
Chief health professions officer Kay East outlines the opportunities
for staff to take on new consultant therapist roles as part of the drive
to improve patient care.
In the past, in order to progress their careers, frontline allied health
professionals have had to dispense with the clinical side of their work
and take on a more managerial role. Now this is changing with the introduction
of the consultant therapist role.
For some time now we’ve been trying to explore and encourage new ways
of working so that frontline practitioners – those working closest to
patients – can make significant improvements to patient care. These are
improvements that might have been held back in the past by outdated practices
and institutional barriers.
Across the NHS, we’re now seeing therapists in all specialities taking
direct referrals from GPs, running clinics and fast-tracking patients
to the most appropriate services.
AHPs have demonstrated versatility and the capability to adapt and respond
to changing demands. They bridge the gaps between primary and secondary
care. They work in hospitals as well as community and provide care for
thousands of people in their homes.
Basically, AHPs know a great deal about patient needs. The consultant
therapist role will take that hands-on experience and knowledge and use
it to ensure that services and investment are planned at an organisational
level.
It’s a real opportunity to make a substantial difference to patient care,
while, at the same time, elevating the profile of AHPs into the core thinking
of the NHS.
I’d urge those AHPs who want to lead change and advance their career
aspirations to present the case - to your trusts and PCTs - for developing
your roles either as consultant therapists or in other ways.
You start from a strong position – you know patients. In an NHS that’s
changing to become increasingly patient-centred, that is vital.
I’m extremely keen to hear your comments about any of the issues in this
bulletin.
Please send your thoughts to ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Kay East
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Top News
Pay deal for staff – update
Full details of the new NHS pay deal – Agenda for Change – have now been
published for consultation
In addition to the new pay system, measures to support staff career development
are also highlighted.
The four UK health departments, NHS employers and other staff organisations
concluded their negotiations last November.
Now staff members across the NHS are to be asked if they approve of the
plans.
The document is at www.doh.gov.uk/agendaforchange/proposedagreement.htm
Details of the proposed pay bands for common NHS jobs are contained in
the NHS Job Evaluation Handbook at www.doh.gov.uk/agendaforchange/jobevaluationhandbook.htm
If staff support the new structure, it is expected to be piloted across
England early this summer.
The HR departments of all trusts will be sent hard copies of the documents.
Changing Workforce – piloting new roles
AHP staff roles are being revamped across the health service as the NHS
engages in new ways of delivering improved patient care.
Through the Changing Workforce programme, run by the NHS Modernisation
Agency, issues such as staff shortages and job satisfaction are being
addressed.
The programme was born out of The NHS Plan, which put a strong
emphasis on new ways of working within the health service, not least among
AHPs.
Already 16 pilot schemes are up and running across the country, focusing
on a range of areas. These include mental health, older people and primary
care services.
Each pilot scheme is different but all share these principles:
- how changing roles use new systems to ensure clarity and accountability
- building on good practice
- maintaining close links with other NHS development schemes, such as
Agenda for Change and Improving Working Lives
- balancing new roles with the need for continuing personal development
and lifelong learning
The work of each pilot site is carried out by a steering group, which
helps facilitate the work and ensure key stakeholders are involved.
Its key tasks are to clear any external obstacles to change, generate
new ideas and encourage local involvement.
The success of each pilot is measured by set targets for improving patient
care, job satisfaction and staff retention.
Further details are at: www.modern.nhs.uk/cwp
Changing Workforce - case study
A new consultant therapist role has been set up thanks to a partnership
between Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust and Salford Primary Care Trust.
The new consultant in foot health has surgical podiatry skills and is
able to treat patients with orthopaedically compromised feet as well as
having extensive knowledge of high-risk foot conditions. The roles of
other members of the podiatry team have been extended to enable them to
meet the needs of these patients.
The podiatry department wanted to develop a clinic to meet the needs
of a particular group of patients who may have high-risk problems due
to diabetes, vascular insufficiency or rheumatological problems. The Changing
Workforce programme was able to provide funding to support this new way
of working and to enable members of the team to undertake some of the
training required to extend their skills. This included radiology training
so that they can order x-rays.
Carys Kinsella of the Changing Workforce programme described the subsequent
impact on both patient care and staff development as ‘very positive’.
“Effectively, patients are seen in a one-stop shop, where previously
they may have had to visit a number of departments during the course of
their treatment. For those requiring surgery, continuity of care is ensured
as they are seen by the same staff before and after their surgery, with
the surgery itself being performed by the consultant."
One satisfied patient said: “This is great. I thought I would have to
wait and come back another time and you have done everything today.”
Carys added: “Staff have also found it beneficial, and have a better
understanding of each of the roles.”
One staff podiatrist said: “Now I can do more things for the patients,
it feels so much better and the patients are thanking us!”
Other roles developed in the pilot cover nutrition support, education
health workers and audiology services.
* Contact: Carys Kinsella 0161 787 5563
New roles in diabetes
Under the recently published National Service Framework (NSF) Diabetes
Delivery Strategy, everyone with or at risk from diabetes will be offered
regular check-ups and treatment by 2006.
Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust and North and South Peterborough Primary
Care Trusts are already producing tangible results.
New roles in diabetes care have been tested, resulting in the recruitment
of a new specialist Diabetes Care Technician.
The aim of the pilot was to introduce new ways of delivering treatment
and staff gaining greater job satisfaction while improving their job prospects.
Co-ordinator Mimi Hills said the feedback received so far had been ‘very
positive’ both from patients and staff.
* Contact: Mimi Hills 01733 875796
News in brief
The role of radiographers
A guide examining the role of radiographers in the context of The
NHS Plan and NHS Cancer Plan has been produced.
Demands on radiographers are increasing, resulting in high priority being
given to the issue of staff recruitment and retention.
Other topics covered include training opportunities, teamwork and changing
roles.
The number of NHS diagnostic radiographers increased from 10,360 in 1997
to 11,160 in 2001 – up more than seven per cent.
The guide, which gives an overview of actions being taken at national
level, can be found at: www.doh.gov.uk/cancer/radiographersupdate.htm
Advisory network
The Department of Health is to recruit from AHP staff nationally to help
form a network of advisers.
Those selected will offer independent, specialist advice to other AHP
staff, ensuring they know how and why national issues are affecting and
influencing local policy decisions.
The network will also support the work being done by the department’s
own branch team.
None of the roles are being advertised as yet but more information will
be released by the department in due course.
Comments to ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
AHP key roles workshop
A workshop is planned for April as part of the next stage to develop
a definition of ‘key’ AHP roles.
Staff who previously contacted this bulletin with details of the work
they are doing to develop such roles have been thanked for their feedback.
Further details of the workshop will be published in next month’s bulletin
but the feedback already received is seen as a helpful development as
it focuses on the roles played by AHPs in delivering modernised health
and social care.
Comments to ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
New appointments
The Department of Health has appointed two new health professions advisers
-Shelagh Morris and Karen Dinsdale.
Karen is currently the primary care development manager (therapies) in
the Directorate of Health and Social Care in London.
Shelagh is the director of allied health professions with Sherwood Hospitals
NHS Trust.
They will concentrate on children and mental health issues respectively
when they take up their new roles in March and April.
Modernising audiology services
The very latest in digital hearing aids will be available free to thousands
of people who are deaf or hard of hearing under a £94 million programme
announced by the health secretary.
Around 1.8 million people in England – including 18,000 children – who
currently use hearing aids stand to benefit.
In April 2000, the Government began making digital hearing aids available
on the NHS for the first time.
From April 2003, almost a third of NHS audiology departments will be
providing digital hearing aids.
They will be available in every hearing aid service throughout England
by April 2005.
Press
release
Health Professions Council (HPC) seeks partners
The HPC, a new independent, UK-wide body, responsible for regulating
standards within the 12 healthcare professions it covers, is looking for
people from within the AHP sector to undertake work on its behalf.
To help ensure the effective regulation of health professionals in the
UK, the HPC needs to set up a series of formal relationships with individuals
and partners by 1 April.
The council is looking for suitably qualified and motivated people to
work in positions including conduct and competence panel members, legal
assessors and medical assessors.
www.hpc-uk.org or email partners@hpc-uk.org
Recruitment and retention handbook
AHP staff involved in recruitment and retention will be able to benefit
from a new guide, due out on April 6.
Sharing Strengths details various ways in which trusts and PCTs
can use their resources to produce good practice and also how to utilise
other sources of funding.
It highlights what is going on nationally and how people can move on,
and recruit from elsewhere in the heath service.
The handbook is being produced by the Department of Health.
More details will follow in next month’s bulletin.
A Downing Street reception for AHPs
More than 150 allied health professionals and healthcare scientists were
invited to 10 Downing Street for a reception with the Prime Minister.
The delegation included managers and frontline staff, all of whom were
able to raise issues with Tony Blair.
Chief health professions officer Kay East described it as a ‘really enjoyable
event showing just what a valuable contribution these professionals make
in delivering patient care.'
The Digest
Action On developments
The NHS Modernisation Agency's Action On programme targets long-wait
specialities by encouraging innovation and good practice.
More than 50 pilot sites have so far focused on dermatology, ear, nose
and throat and orthopaedics.
The scheme is now targeting general and plastic surgery and urology.
Pilot proposals are invited. Up to £75,000 a year of funding is available.
www.modern.nhs.uk/action-on
or Eric Ludlow on 0116 222 1422
Prescribing for AHPs
Ambulance personnel and optometrists have attended a workshop identifying
the potential benefits for patients and the NHS if AHPs and optometrists
are able to supply/prescribe medicines on the NHS.
Chaired by Kay East, the chief health professions officer, the workshop
gave Department of Health representatives the opportunity to explain the
processes involved.
ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
NHSnet upgrade
Online appointment bookings and prescription transfers within the NHS
will be much faster as a result of a £45 million upgrade to the NHSnet.
The network, which carries more than one million messages a month, is
being given broadband status. Due for completion by March 2004, it will
also improve access to electronic health records. www.nhsia.nhs.uk/nhsnet/pages/connecting/bandwidth/upgrades.asp
AHP informatics workshop
Sir John Pattison, the Department of Health’s director of research, analysis
and information, has challenged AHPs to embrace information technology
to help deliver improved services
Speaking at the December workshop, he said it would help deliver a ‘truly
patient-centred service".
Key points highlighted also included knowledge management and disseminating
good practice.
ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Health and social care change agent team (CAT)
The team was set up in January 2002 as part of a £300 million investment
to improve hospital discharge figures.
It is also working to support the implementation of the National Service
Framework (NSF) for older people and working towards a single system of
health and social care.
More information available soon.
Health circulars – issuing alert letters
Alert letters are sent to NHS bodies to inform them of any registered
health professionals whose performance or conduct could place patients
or staff at serious risk.
It ensures organisations know about any health professional who may reasonably
be considered to pose a serious risk because their performance seriously
comprises a clinical team’s effective functioning.
HSC
2002(11)
Ambulance trust staff praised
Lancashire Ambulance NHS Trust and NHS Direct North West Coast provide
a ‘high quality’ service to patients, the Commission for Health Improvement
(CHI) concluded.
The clinical governance review highlighted the ‘professional and caring
manner’ of staff when dealing with patients and callers.
www.chi.nhs.uk
Eliminating mixed sex accommodation
98 per cent of NHS trusts are now providing single-sex sleeping accommodation,
and 93 per cent of trusts are providing segregated bathroom and toilet
facilities for men and women. A further two per cent plan to deliver this
standard by the end of March.
The NHS target for both categories was 95 per cent by December 2002 meaning
targets have been reached.
Ministerial
statement 14 January 2003 on the Parliament website
Diabetes delivery
Every person with or at risk from diabetes will be offered regular check-ups
and the appropriate treatment by 2006, under the Diabetes National Service
Framework Delivery Strategy.
The framework highlights how AHPs will play a key role in the delivery
of care.
By 2007 all PCTs will provide eye-screening services for all people with
diabetes.
www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/diabetes/index.htm
NHS patient choice expanded
More patients in more areas of the country will get increased access
to health services, under a new Government ‘choice’ initiative.
Health secretary Alan Milburn announced the expansion plans at a conference
of NHS chief executives.
It follows the success of two pilot schemes covering heart and cataract
surgery.
The main benefit for patients is that they will have the opportunity
to receive treatment at hospitals other than their local one.
Press
release
Full text of speech
Health profession ‘titles’
The Health Professions Council (HPC) has obtained legal clarification
over the use of protected titles by the unregistered sector until 2005.
It relates mainly to people training at private institutions whose courses
are not approved for state registration. After 1 April, anyone using the
common titles of the professions regulated by the HPC must be on its register
otherwise they could face prosecution.
HPC
statement
PCT ratings
Primary care and mental health trusts are to receive their first NHS
performance ratings this summer.
The ratings show how well local services are performing.
PCTs and mental health trusts will join acute, specialist and ambulance
trusts in this year’s tables.
www.doh.gov.uk/performanceratings
Back pain web launch
An internet information service has been launched to provide better public
information on back pain.
Research for the Doctor Patient Partnership (DPP) shows nearly two thirds
of people would go to their GP for back problems.
With 60 per cent of the population reporting back problems, this represents
a huge burden for primary care providers.
The ‘Beating Back Pain’ campaign provides information and practical support.
www.dpp.org.uk
European Working Time Directive (EWTD) guidance
NHS trusts are to receive guidance on how to comply with the EWTD for
doctors who are training.
Trusts are running pilot schemes to examine how the new rules can be
successfully implemented.
Many involve innovative roles for AHPs and non-medical staff.
Guidance is at www.doh.gov.uk/workingtime
or queries to EWTD@doh.gsi.gov.uk
NHS bowel cancer programme
A national screening programme is one of the benefits of the new NHS
bowel cancer programme.
National cancer director Professor Mike Richards also announced new targets
for speeding up diagnosis and improving treatments of the disease.
This will require an increase in the medical workforce as well as increased
training.
www.nhs.uk/nhsupdate/news.asp?newsid=596
Patient watchdogs being abolished
Community Health Councils (CHC) will be abolished on 1 September this
year.
It follows the launch of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement
in Health (CPPIH) on 1 January.
The CPPIH is responsible for getting more members of the public involved
in making decisions over local health and will be providing training to
help them do that.
CHCs’ functions will be taken over by patient forums and committees.
www.nhs.uk/nhsupdate/news.asp?newsid=594&p=d
Diary
Modernising cancer services conference
Around 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the Modernising Cancer
Services – Excellence in Patient Care conference, being held by the
Cancer Services Collaborative (CSC) at the International Conference Centre,
Birmingham, on 7 March.
Chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, scheduled speakers include: national cancer
director Professor Mike Richards; health minister Hazel Blears; NHS Modernisation
Agency director David Fillingham; CSC national clinical lead ,Professor
David Kerr; director of the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) Dr
Peter Homa and CSC national director Janet Williamson.
www.modern.nhs.uk/cancer
or http://195.40.181.94/cscconference/home.asp
Regional child health conference and exhibition
Taking place on 25 February, this is the latest in a series of 18 regional
conferences and exhibitions for those interested in the care of babies
and infants and the education of parents.
The venue is the Marriott Hotel, Liverpool.
Contact: Profile Productions
Tel: 020 8832 7311 or info@profileproductions.co.uk
Difficult decisions in clinical practice
This one-day conference examines the key ethical issues and principles
that health sector professionals come across on a daily basis.
An interactive ‘ethics surgery’ will also provide an opportunity for
staff to discuss topical ethical dilemmas.
It takes place on 5 March at the Manchester Conference Centre,
Contact: Healthcare Events on 020 8541 1399 or info@heathcare-events.co.uk
Recruitment and training in healthcare
This two-day conference, taking place at the Birmingham NEC on 19/20
March, will provide recruitment and training and development opportunities
for healthcare professionals, plus those wanting to work within or return
to healthcare.
Contact: Sterling Events on 0151 709 8979 or rth@sterlingevents.co.uk
Have your say
The Allied Health Professions Branch in the Department of Health welcomes
feedback on any aspect of the information that we have included in the
Bulletin. Email ahp-branch@doh.gsi.gov.uk
or write to AHP Branch, Wellington House, 135 – 155 Waterloo Road, London
SE1 8UG.
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