Progress to Date

Testing the EVIDENCE for the 11 cell full shift medical workforce model.

EWTD compliance was identified by the Network as a key consideration to the redesigning of services, prior to the formal consultation phase of ‘Making it Better’.

Analysis of the impact of the hours reduction in terms of education and service delivery was undertaken, and compared with that of August 2004, when junior doctors in training were required to comply with EWTD minimum rest requirements and maximum working week of 58 hours.

This work led to an ‘eleven cell’ full shift model being recommended by the Medical Workforce Team at Greater Manchester SHA. A period of engagement, presentation and publication of this recommendation followed.

Prior to presenting the evidence to the JCPCT , gaining the endorsement of local lead clinicians of the 11 cell model as a way of achieving EWTD was an essential part of the process. This took place by the Network workforce leads presenting to the Paediatric, Maternity and Neonatal Networks, which are the advisory groups for the CYPF Network, and by holding facilitated meetings for Paediatrics, Neonatology and Obstetrics. These facilitated meetings were attended by lead clinicians for each acute trust, educational leads, Deanery representatives, Network leads and the medical workforce SHA leads – the 11 cell model was agreed to be the gold standard to provide safe and sustainable inpatient 24/7 services.

The Network medical workforce leads, sometimes in conjunction with the NHS Northwest Medical Workforce Modernisation Manager, made a series of local and national presentations in 2005/2006. Wherever appropriate, the 11 cell model was tested with experts in achieving EWTD compliance.

• Skills for Health - Workforce Projects Team National EWTD Conference, London;
• Greater Manchester SHA EWTD conference, Manchester;
• The Care Services Improvement Partnership Network leads meeting, London;
• SHA EWTD leads, London;
• The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Annual International Conference , York; 2006
• The North Western Deanery, Manchester;
• Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority Medical Workforce Steering Group and HR Directors Forum, Manchester;
• The Joint Committee of PCTs for the Network area;
• The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee ( JOSC) for the Network area; and
• The Children, Young People and Families Network Supervisory Board and Paediatric, Neonatal, Maternity Networks, Workforce Delivery group.

In 2006 the 11 cell model as a way of achieving EWTD, and providing doctors in training with enough time for education and training was published in the British Journal of Healthcare Management.