08.08.13
Social Partnership Forum launches Learning for Life
A new ‘Learning for Life’ toolkit has been launched to support a learning culture within the NHS. The Social Partnership Forum (SPF) has created an online guide for NHS organisations to increase staff aptitudes in maths, English and IT.
Staff learning can improve health outcomes and boost personal development. The SPF is made up of NHS Employers, health unions and the department of health.
Health minister and chair of the national Social Partnership Forum, Dr Dan Poulter said:
“Workplace learning is hugely important – it helps NHS staff gain valuable skills and experience.
“We know making sure the right development opportunities are available also helps staff stay motivated to provide the very best care for patients. Employers should use these campaign materials to help support a stronger culture of learning and ongoing personal and professional development in our NHS, which will benefit both patients and staff.”
The toolkit includes case studies, posters and campaign materials to raise awareness of new learning opportunities.
Dean Royles, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, added: “NHS Employers welcomes the opportunity to work with our partners to deliver the Learning for Life campaign. The NHS faces a number of challenges and here is just one way we can really make a difference for staff and for patients.
“Workplace learning clearly plays an important role in improving staff skills and experience, supports staff engagement and motivation and helps improve patient care. We know NHS employers and their trade union partners feel the same and hope they find the toolkit and supporting campaign materials useful in helping them to embed a culture of learning at work in their organisation.”
Christina McAnea, chair of the NHS trade unions and UNISON head of health, said:
“The NHS trade unions give their full support to the workplace learning campaign. We know that when staff have access to good quality appraisal, learning and skills training, and are properly equipped to undertake their job role, this has a positive impact on the patient experience and the quality of health outcomes. This campaign will encourage employers and trade unions to work together to promote learning for all staff – particularly those in the lower pay bands. It will help to ensure that staff have the right skills for the job and the confidence to act in their patients’ best interests.”
Jane Hadfield, assistant director of the human resource & development directorate at North Bristol NHS Trust said: “We are delighted to be part of this project which has brought many partners around the table working together on a toolkit designed with the support of workplace learning in mind. The opportunity to map all resources together into one easy-to-use resource is really helpful and I am sure it will be an asset to anyone interested in, or involved in, workplace learning – whether you are a manager, union learning representative, workplace teacher, mentor – or a learner. The opportunities and benefits of working in partnership are enormous, with the opportunity it affords to mobilise the wealth of support and expertise that is available.”
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