The West Midlands Exemplar Project is a prime example of a how a Sector Skills Council (SSC) and a Strategic Health Authority (SHA) can join forces to deliver a workforce development strategy.
For the past six months NHS West Midlands and Skills for Health, along with health, social care and educational organisations, have been looking at how to apply the national competence-based career and education frameworks to define priority service areas and improve quality, value for money and patient care.
The Exemplar Project is split into a number of elements, each relating to a specific service area with an over-arching project demonstrating the added value of Skills for Health working with NHS West Midlands to deliver its workforce strategy.
The project is focusing on addressing skill shortages and developing new ways of working. Priority areas include:
All parts of this work will eventually contribute to the overarching project which will develop and document a model for Skills for Health working with SHAs and other strategic workforce organisations to achieve their shared objectives.
"The joint West Midlands NHS and Skills for Health Exemplar Project offers a challenging opportunity for both organisations to work in partnership, in the development of a workforce fit for purpose to deliver the healthcare of the future for the West Midlands."
Jenny Powell
Associate Head of Hospital & Specialist Education, NHS West Midlands
