Agenda item

(To receive a presentation which highlights the issues faced by Lincolnshire and steps being taken to address staff shortages and skills gaps)

Dr Adrian Tams (Workforce Transformation Manager (Lincolnshire)) gave a presentation which highlighted the issues faced in Lincolnshire and the steps being taken to address staff shortages and skills gaps.

The presentation included the following slides:-

·       Lincolnshire Workforce Challenges;

·       Context;

·       Lincolnshire isn't alone………;

·       July 2017 – May 2018 STP Data;

·       Local Workforce Context (Planned and Current Workforce Data across Providers);

·       Lincolnshire Issues

o   Attraction, Recruitment and Retention;

o   Workforce Supply, Demand and Planning;

·       Addressing the Issues

o   Local Workforce Action Board & Sustainability and Transformation Partnership;

o   Workforce Transformation:  A to B Plan;

o   Talent Academy – 'Grow our own';

o   University of Lincoln & Medical School; and

o   National Centre for Rural Health and Social Care;

·       5 NHS Priorities

o   Mental Health;

o   Cancer;

o   Urgent and Emergency Care;

o   Integrated Care and Public Health; and

o   Maternity

·       Workforce Action Groups (programmes of work to ensure the delivery of the Workforce and OD Strategies)

o   STP Programme Board;

o   Workforce Delivery Group (HR Streamlining; Partnership; and Talent Academy);

o   LWAB;

o   Workforce & OD Programme Board;

·       LWAB/STP – Partnership Working;

·       Workforce Transformation – Whole Systems Partnership;

·       Workforce Development;

·       Conclusions

o   Lincolnshire Healthcare Workforce is suffering from a number of workforce issues;

o   Considerable partnership working with Health Education England, providers, social care and HEI's although more collaboration needed;

o   Issues are being addressed in Lincolnshire;

o   Health and Wellbeing Board – integrated partnership, collaboration and inclusion into the STP, Workforce and OD Programme Board and Workforce Planning activities.

Members were invited to ask questions, during which the following points were noted:-

·       It was explained that a lot of work was ongoing with Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), jointly with the CCGs, in relation to children and young people and mental health issues;

·       The comparison between Lincolnshire and other areas was discussed and noted that Nottingham had considerably higher staff shortages within mental health than Lincolnshire.  In comparison to neighbouring counties, Lincolnshire was reported to be favoured reasonably.  Additionally, contracts within LPFT were being reviewed to consider amendments in order to make it easier for staff to work across boundaries;

·       The Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) explained that there had been difficulty in attracting children's nurses and paediatricians although there had been more success recently in attracting nurses.  He continued to explain that middle grade doctors remained an issue for the Trust but that work continued to attract doctors from overseas;

·       Although NHS standards for recruitment remained, there had been a considerable amount of work done locally to reduce the length of time taken to recruit staff;

·       The Chairman of the Lincolnshire Coordinating Board for the STP reported that she had met with the Minister of State for Health and Social Care, who fully understood the challenges in relation to delivery of health services in rural counties which could help to support future plans;

·       Health Education England fully supported work with local universities and the development of a fast track programme but acknowledged that retention of students following the completion of degrees remained an issues;

·       Clearer workforce plans were required to improve the overall issues in Lincolnshire.  There was now better partnership working between organisations which meant that workforce plans were more detailed and focussed.  However, it was stressed that any support that the Health and Wellbeing Board could give in this area would be appreciated;

·       The expectation of the public would require effective management, to ensure that the way in which healthcare was delivered by GPs in the future was clear as this provision would be very different; and

·       The Board was reminded that there were over 20,000 people employed within health and social care who were not employed by the NHS.

The Chairman invited representatives from educational establishments within the county to address the Board:-

·       Professor Scott Fleming (Executive Dean – Research, Knowledge Exchange and External Engagement at Bishop Grosseteste University) confirmed that the National Centre for Rural Health and Care would be housed at Bishop Grosseteste University and would take residence once the building had been renovated;

·       Mark Locking (Managing Director Education and Training – Lincoln College) explained that this had been an area which the college had not been particularly productive in.  They were now seriously considering this type of pathway and were currently in discussions with a large national healthcare provider looking at study programmes for 16-18 year olds.  The challenge for the college was staffing and being able to secure the appropriate level of lecturers to be able to successfully deliver these pathways.  Additionally, there was a need to find a way to promote this work to young people who, generally, were not interested in pursuing this type of pathway.  The college also offered apprenticeships but struggle to recruit to them as young people did not see the long term benefits.  Additionally, full funding for very low income households for adult learning was available and part-funding of certain qualifications for adults.  However, exertion of political pressure to part or fully fund qualifications would help colleges to do more; and

·       Professor Andrew Hunter (Deputy Vice Chancellor – University of Lincoln) explained that there was an enormous amount of preparatory work being done by the university to ensure the Medical School would be ready to recruit students from 2019.  A visit from the General Medical Council (GMC) was expected on 20 July 2018.  The Board was advised that these students would not qualify as practitioners until 2024.  Recruitment of lecturers was also being pursued from existing staff within NHS Trusts in Lincolnshire.

The Chairman gave thanks for the frank updates and looked forward to working together to pursue this area further.

RESOLVED

          That the report and presentation be noted.