We designed a national database to record, monitor and report the onboarding, training and development of continuing healthcare (CHC) staff recruited quickly and in large numbers to clear the backlog of CHC assessments caused by the pandemic.

Background

Additional NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) staff had to be quickly recruited to clear a backlog of patients due to the suspension of the CHC framework during the pandemic.

NHS England and Improvement (NHSEI) commissioned the Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit (MLCSU) to design and implement a national database designed to capture details of staff recruited or seconded, any training given and additional working hours completed.

Action

• We designed the database following consultations with NHSEI and CHC regional leads.
• Weekly progress reports and weekly update meetings through Microsoft Teams allowed us to develop a good working relationship with NHSEI, meet database requirements and respond to queries.
• Supporting materials including videos were designed showing how to use the database, with training sessions for staff inputting the data.
• A central CHC training inbox was created to deal with employer and employee queries regarding staff registrations and employees booking onto CHC workshops.
• We facilitated the online booking system for the workshop sessions.
• Anonymised data reports were provided to NHSEI on a monthly basis throughout the project.

Impact

The success of the project was the result of highly-effective collaborative working with NHSEI and Health Education England, with all organisations working as one team to deliver the project at pace.

The database enabled a swift registration process to be set up, providing access to comprehensive workforce development information. We were able to regularly report the workforce numbers being registered to NHSEI.

It also allowed us to break data down into workforce training numbers by organisation and training accessed by type (national/ local), along with anonymous feedback on the process – including experience of working in NHS CHC – to inform improvements and evaluation of the training. The database for employer registrations was closed on 31 March 2021, with a total of 745 registrations made on the system.

Ten CHC workshop sessions, offering a total of 1,500 places, were supported by the booking system, directing CHC employees and employers to the National NHS CHC training programme, newly developed by Health Education England on the e-Learning for Healthcare platform.

“The involvement of MLCSU has been highly valued in helping deliver the workforce recovery project during the pandemic.

“The CSU is able to deliver at pace, responding to our needs in a highly professional, creative and efficient manner.

“The team were always professional, courteous and supportive; going the extra mile when we needed assistance. A highly recommended team.”

Andrea Westlake | Assistant Director of Nursing and Quality

NHS England and Improvement – Midlands