Dashboard
NHS Workforce Optimisation Essentials
This comprehensive course equips NHS managers and workforce planners with essential skills to optimise staffing efficiency, improve patient care delivery, and manage resources effectively within healthcare settings. Based on the proven SARD methodology successfully implemented at Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, this course provides practical tools and step-by-step guidance for implementing workforce optimisation programmes that deliver measurable improvements in consistency, engagement, and insight.
8 modules
17 lessons
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Part 1

Introduction to NHS Workforce Optimisation

Understanding the fundamentals of workforce optimisation, the business case for change, and the proven 6-stage SARD methodology.

  1. The NHS Workforce Challenge

    Understanding the current workforce challenges facing NHS Trusts and the cost of poor job planning engagement.

  2. The SARD Methodology Overview

    Introduction to the proven 6-stage workforce optimisation methodology with overview of each stage and expected outcomes.

  3. Preparing for Success

    Essential preparation steps including executive sponsorship, stakeholder engagement, and resource planning for successful workforce optimisation programmes.

Part 2

Stage 1: Diagnostic Assessment

Conducting comprehensive diagnostic assessments, evaluating data quality, and identifying improvement priorities.

  1. Conducting Diagnostic Assessments

    Step-by-step guide to conducting thorough diagnostic assessments of current job planning processes, data quality, and stakeholder engagement.

  2. Data Quality Assessment

    Systematic approaches to evaluating workforce data quality and identifying critical gaps that impact decision-making.

  3. Risk Assessment and Prioritisation

    Framework for identifying, assessing, and prioritising workforce planning risks to focus improvement efforts where they will have greatest impact.

Part 3

Stage 2: Policy Review and Development

Creating robust job planning policies with stakeholder engagement and co-production approaches.

  1. Job Planning Policy Framework

    Understanding the essential components of effective job planning policies and frameworks for workforce optimisation success.

  2. Stakeholder Engagement and Co-production

    Proven strategies for meaningful stakeholder engagement and co-production approaches that build shared ownership and commitment to workforce optimisation.

Part 4

Stage 3: Core Activity Language Integration

Standardising terminology and coding across services to improve consistency, clarity, and comparability.

  1. Understanding Core Activity Language

    Introduction to standardised activity language principles, benefits, and implementation approaches for consistent workforce planning across NHS services.

  2. Activity Mapping and Standardisation

    Step-by-step methodology for mapping existing activities to standardised terminology while maintaining clinical relevance and cross-specialty consistency.

Part 5

Stage 4: Consistency Panels

Establishing cross-functional panels to review job plans fairly and ensure accountability across the organisation.

  1. Creating Effective Consistency Panels

    Establishing effective multi-stakeholder review panels that ensure fair, transparent, and accountable job planning processes across NHS organisations.

  2. Multi-Stakeholder Review Processes

    Designing effective multi-stakeholder review processes that engage all parties while maintaining efficiency, fairness, and quality decision-making.

Part 6

Stage 5: Training and Engagement

Building understanding and buy-in through role-specific training programmes and culture change initiatives.

  1. Building Understanding and Buy-in

    Comprehensive strategies for building stakeholder understanding, engagement, and sustained commitment to workforce optimisation initiatives through effective training and culture change.

  2. Role-Specific Training Programme Development

    Designing and delivering comprehensive, role-specific training programmes that build competency, confidence, and sustainable engagement across all stakeholder groups.

Part 7

Stage 6: Capacity and Demand Analysis

Using job planning data to map capacity against demand and inform evidence-based workforce decisions.

  1. Using Job Planning Data for Workforce Decisions

    Converting job planning data into actionable workforce intelligence through capacity and demand analysis to enable evidence-based resource allocation decisions.

  2. Capacity Modeling and Demand Forecasting

    Advanced techniques for modeling current capacity, forecasting future demand, and optimizing resource allocation through sophisticated analytical approaches.

Part 8

Implementation and Sustainability

Sustaining improvements, measuring success, and planning for ongoing workforce optimisation and continuous improvement.

  1. Sustaining Improvement and Continuous Optimisation

    Comprehensive strategies for sustaining workforce optimisation improvements, building continuous improvement processes, and ensuring long-term organizational success.