RCN: Workforce implications of the quality and productivity challenge

A group has been set up by the Social Partnership Forum (England) to explore workforce implications of the quality and productivity challenge and to try to scope a possible employment guarantee.  This followed the suggestion the Secretary of State made in the document, From Good to Great, a 5 year plan 2010-2015, that there should be exploratory discussions on possibility of an employment guarantee in return for flexibility, mobility and pay restraint.  NHS trade unions have embarked on exploratory talks under the auspices of the Social Partnership Forum (SPF) and there have been a number of meetings to try to address this challenging task..  Progress has been made in developing principles that will help develop the work. Draft principles to apply at all levels of the NHS, health authorities, commissioners and providers were considered by the SPF on 25^th February.  Possible applicability in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be considered.