Targeted Support for EWTD 2009: Evaluating the Benefits

The NHS East of England's targeted support programme, funded by Workforce Projects Team, has helped many trusts across the country to prepare for EWTD 2009 implementation.

The report has been published on the healthcare workforce portal and the key findings include:

• 87% of trusts felt the support programme was helpful with the other 13% reporting that it was of partial help
• The average number of doctors in trusts working the 48 hour week was almost 25% higher following this support.

The work programme included intensive targeted support for up to 20 trusts, utilising a Diagnostic Assessment Tool focusing on the 10 key enablers of leadership; management of change; rota design; new ways of working; training and development; technological solutions; service redesign; workforce planning; finance; and communications.

Information was collected from local clinicians and managers through interviews and surveys on the trust’s position against the 10 key enablers and recommended areas for action were reported to the trust board. An Away Day with the trust followed four to six weeks later, providing an opportunity to present the main findings of the report, prioritise actions and share solutions from other trusts.

Up to 15 trusts received streamlined targeted support consisting of conference calls with stakeholders and support days delivered by two workforce consultants facilitating sessions with clinical groups, sharing information, ideas and solutions and utilising tools and techniques to assist in the development of plans and proposals for change.

The East of England’s Workforce Programmes Team consisted of Jacky Beaumont, Nicole Callaghan, Ken Miles-Crust, Boyd Mullins, Neil Sellen and Deborah Wodhams with support from Anzhelika Coffey, Lucy Dennis and Jenni Saunders.

Deborah Wodhams, East of England workforce project manager, said: 'The high level of engagement came from the willingness of executive teams, clinicians, managers and professionals to involve themselves in the assessments and facilitated sessions. It is their involvement that made the difference.'

Feedback quotes to the East of England Workforce Team from trust participants include:

'We are really glad we did it; it was extremely helpful and put us in the right direction.'

'It brought managers and clinicians together, helping with engagement and focusing minds.'

'It was useful to have an outside perspective and expertise to work through options which otherwise would never have been considered.'

Tim Lund, national EWTD programme lead, Workforce Projects Team, commented on the achievements:

'It has been a privilege to sponsor the East of England’s targeted support programme and witness their dedication to helping services across the NHS to develop sustainable solutions.'

The report entitled, 'Targeted Support for EWTD 2009 Compliance: an Evaluation of Benefit', can be accessed via:

www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/targetedsupportevaluation

Workforce Projects Team are also grateful to Stephen Welfare, director of workforce, NHS East of England and Paul Holmes, deputy director of workforce, NHS East of England for all their support and for agreeing to the team leading this work.

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