Agenda item

Recruitment, Retention and Development

Report and presentation of Leanne Furnell, NENC ICB

The Committee received a presentation from Leanne Furnell, North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board’s Director of Workforce, in relation to the North East and North Cumbria People and Culture Plan (the Plan).  It was explained that amidst the background of significant reductions to funding, a change is required to the operating model and workforce structure in order to tackle significant workforce issues across the integrated care system, including recruitment and retention, which poses a risk to improving provision.

The Plan aimed to outline a shared vision towards a ‘one workforce’ model, focused on greater integration and recognising the role of culture in developing people.  It was highlighted that delivery of the Plan requires commitment and collaboration from all partners, led by NENC People and Culture Directorate, working with system partners, trade unions and delivery teams.  It was noted that services across health and care already have detailed workforce programmes specific to their needs and priorities, which would continue following the priorities outlined in the Plan.

A core theme of the Plan is ‘being the best at getting better’.  People are at the heart of health and care services, with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce across the regional system.  However, the workforce is stretched and there are challenges to be addressed with the support of system partners.

The NENC People and Culture Plan was drafted in March 2023, with an engagement event taking place in June 2023.  Input from existing People Workstreams was sought in developing the Plan.  The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan was developed with the themes train (growing the workforce through increased education and training), retain (improving culture and leadership to better support staff) and reform (improving productivity through new technologies).

The Committee was informed that the Plan has 6 pillars:

-       Workforce supply across the system

-       Workforce retention across the system

-       Workforce health and wellbeing across the system

-       System Leadership and Talent

-       Health Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

-       Reform

It was noted that the feedback received so far on the draft plan had been positive and constructive.  It had been highlighted that the plans were ambitious and that capacity to deliver could be an issue.  Language and terminology in the Plan had also been raised as some terms and phrases lacked clarity of meaning.  Going forward, it was explained that consideration was needed in relation to the governance arrangements to ensure accountability and delivery of the plan.  It was highlighted that consideration needed to be given to how Social Care Workforce Plans could be captured as part of the work.

In commenting on the Plan, members of the Committee reiterated the need for less jargon and clearer terminology.  It was highlighted that morale within the NHS is currently low and that cultural issues around bullying and management practices needed to be addressed as a priority to support the six pillars of the Plan.

The Chair thanked Leanne for the presentation.

RESOLVED

i.              To note the presentation

ii.             For an update on the NENC People and Culture Plan to be provided at a future meeting.