Educational Provision for Nursing, Midwifery, Operating Department Practitioner and Healthcare Support Workers from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

The Health Board is committed to excellence and recognises that investing in the lifelong learning and development of the workforce is a contributory factor in achieving high quality harm free care. The recently launched NHS Wales Quality and Safety Framework (2021) describes what quality looks like, what needs to be in place to be sure of high-quality health and social care and the importance of embedding the ethos of good quality, safe care above everything else. Our workforce is at the heart of person-centred high-quality care. Therefore, a variety of educational study sessions, programmes and pathways are required as part of our commitment to investing in our staff, ensure career progression opportunities and the development of knowledge which ultimately supports the delivery of safe integrated care to meet local population needs.

The CoVid pandemic has resulted in different ways of working, greater use of digital technology and many staff returning to clinical practice, or working in clinical areas that they would not normally work in. Education providers worked in partnership with the Health Board, rapidly responding to our requirements and those of HEIW, with upskilling developed rapidly and delivered virtually during this challenging time, with positive evaluations by staff. Therefore, as we move forward during the CoVid recovery phase it is essential that new ways of delivering education are maximised to support the development of a safe and competent workforce, capable of responding flexibly to service and patient needs as has been evident during the last 12 months.

Education and development will enable:

Staff with the right skills to ensure high quality safe patient care and outcomes

A Diverse workforce that can respond to the needs of local patients.

Underpinning knowledge and skills to practice safely

Career pathways, education and development as part of our educational offer

Maintaining and enhancing knowledge and skills whilst we continue to respond to the challenges of CoVid

A safe and competent workforce is essential with investment in education and development known to positively impact on morale, job satisfaction, recruitment and retention. The tender will support the delivery of key priority areas outlined within the BCUHB Annual Plan and annual education commissioning plans including:

• Transforming the workforce
• Educational requirements to develop workforce for the future
• Maximising opportunities for innovation through learning
• Optimising patient outcomes
• Career progression and employability
• Research and application to practice
• Services that cross professions and sectors
• Integrated workforce models and service between health and partners
• Development of generic roles
• Expanding scope of practice
• Care closer to home and rural healthcare
• Managed practices and practice nursing workforce requirements
• Geography and location of services
• Inter professional learning

Enhanced use of digital technology in health and education.

Agile working

Nurses, midwives, operating department practitioners and health care support workers are an essential part of the workforce and their roles and influence recognised at every level of the health service. The CoVid pandemic has demonstrated how quickly things have had to change in the NHS and within Education, with this being undertaken very successfully with our partners within Wales. Therefore, it is important that education providers continue to respond to changing Health Board priorities during the CoVid recovery phase and into the future.