§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which(a) papers, (b) studies and (c) other works the Department of Health has (i) published and (ii) is currently undertaking which examine work force planning. [8293]
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§ Mr. Malone"Managing the New NHS" (1993) notes the need for the NHS to secure staffing resources to achieve its objectives and that NHS central management will retain responsibility for securing the future supply of skilled professional staff. "Managing the New NHS: Functions and Responsibilities in the New NHS" (1994) sets out how this will be done, including the role of the regional education and development groups, which includes postgraduate medical deans, and consortia of trusts and purchasers. "Priorities and Planning Guidance for the NHS, 1996–97" sets out the main objectives covering human resources and work force planning.
The Department is currently developing a new initiative on medical staffing policy and arrangements for the hospital community health services and is advised on medical staffing matters by three advisory groups, the Medical Work Force Standing Advisory Committee, the Advisory Group on Medical and Dental Education, Training and Staffing and the Specialist Workforce Advisory Group.
In 1995 the Department published "The Non Medical Health Care Professions National Work Force Balance Sheet" with associated guidelines and the "Non Medical Education and Training—Planning Guidance for 1996–97", education commissioning (EL(95)96)
In 1996, it is planned to publish "The Non Medical Education and Training Information Requirements" and associated guidelines and the "Non Medical Education and Training—Planning Guidance for 1997–98". In addition, the NHS executive will publish a guide to work force planning in consortia.
Copies of the documents are available in the Library.