Tools and resources

This is the second of a series of three articles highlighting the range of tools and resources available that complement achieving the Working Time Directive 2009 requirement.

The last issue focussed on the benchmarking tools available. This issue will focus on planning tools and issue 6 (due out March 2007) will focus on hot topic briefing papers and resource packs.

Planning tools

What is a planning tool?

A planning tool provides a framework for planners to work within and saves them time and energy developing their own approach. The 6 step guide is used throughout a majority of Skills for Health - Workforce Projects Team resources and gives continuity across a range of workforce issues that organisations need to address. The value of the six step guide is that it has been developed in an e-leaning format that can be used to gain a broad overview or specific detail. In addition, the 6 step guide has been produced as a core product with many other resources developed to support it such as the long term planning guide, The Workforce Projects Team resource packs and the benchmarking database that helps organisation understand the data supporting workforce planning.

A planning tool is a useful reference for workforce planners and anyone who needs to deliver a service in SHAs, trusts and PCT’s (including service leads and departmental managers). They provide different ways of supporting you to plan your workforce. The tools deal with the challenges facing workforce planning in a variety of ways. By reviewing all of the options, you are most likely to find a solution which you find most useful.

The resources offer an approach that is comprehensive and effective in developing a workforce plan. Organisations will still need to devote time and effort in the development of the plan, since this is only a guide and does not offer a solution ‘out of a box’. The 6 step guide allows organisations to integrate their financial and service plans with the workforce plan in order to ensure that the future strategy is affordable and deliverable within the timeframe.

These tools will help you meet the WTD requirement by allowing you to plan effectively, getting a more accurate response in a quicker time.

Six Steps guide

Six Steps has been produced by the Skills for Health - Workforce Projects Team team whose aim is to develop and share workforce development and planning resources that can be used across the NHS. It’s based on best practice workforce planning guidance developed in partnership with a range of NHS frontline organisations. It helps ensure that decisions made around design and recruitment of new staff and teams are sustainable, realistic and fully support the delivery of quality patient care and productivity and efficiency.

As the name suggests, the guide takes the user through six clear steps to develop their workforce plan. It runs from a free CD Rom and is also available to access online. It’s a format that planners can use at their own pace as an educational resource or refer to as a best practice guide when they are developing plans in the future.

The six steps guide has been developed to meet the needs of long term planning and resources on-site. Included within the approach is competency based planning and labour market intelligence.

To access the 6 step e-learning program please visit www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/sixsteps

Diagnostic Tools and Enabling Strategies for WTD 2009

An essential report looking at WTD 2009 work and key issues trusts have encountered across the NHS. It contains vital information that will support any WTD lead.

This resource is the result of a detailed piece of diagnostic work carried out by WTD partner Essex Workforce Development Confederation. It is based on work carried out to assess compliance, key issues and challenges to meeting readiness with the 48 hour week – and solutions that trusts have used or that should be considered to move towards compliance. It is based on a representative sample of 20% of all trusts in England and detailed visits to a number of them.

The work can be used to look at challenges and work already carried out in similar trusts, take stock of the key challenges and consider a range of solutions to meeting the WTD 2009 requirement.

To access this report please visit http://www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/diagnostictools

These tools ensure that there is an integrated framework or approach to workforce planning. Instead of the planner being focussed on one area, the tools allow you to look broadly, focussing on wider issues and then have a focus when required. These tools allow you to develop plans for local needs.