call to action in the news

[Guest guest]

The health visitor implementation plan has hit the websites now, with some (e.g. Healthcare Today) just providing a link. The Workforce Implementation Portal linked to NHS Employers, which gives a good summary, seehttp://www.nhsemployers.org/PlanningYourWorkforce/Maternity-services/Pages/HealthVisitorImplementationPlan2011-15.aspx:"The document, Health visitor implementation plan 2011-15, A call to action, provides the detail to support the Government's commitment to recruit an extra 4,200 health visitors by 2015.The plan sets out the vision of the new health visiting service, the call to action for the stakeholders involved, the pathway to 2015 and information about the work programmes that will support the implementation.A full service model is outlined that will need to be commissioned and provided for accordingly. Download the plan from the Department of Health website. The DH has also written to all PCT and SHA chief executives drawing their attention to the plan and setting out actions that they need to take. A copy of this letter is available on the Department of Health website.The implementation plan recognises the importance of partnership working and outlines what families can expect from the new health visiting service, the role health visitors can play and what will be expected from commissioners and providers.The plan provides an opportunity to promote a revitalised health visiting service and already identified pathfinder sites and those demonstrating elements of good practice will begin rolling out the service ready for March 2012.

Supporting work programmesThe DH will also lead three work programmes to support the implementation plan:

Growing the workforce: Will work to collect relevant data on health visitors, plan recruitment and retention initiatives and work on increased places and flexible training options.

Professional mobilisation: Will develop the communications and engagement strategy, share good practice, design and delivery of a recruitment campaign and work on leadership development.

Aligning the delivery systems: will align the service vision and model for key stakeholders, develop a commissioning framework and outcome measures. The NHS Employers organisation is a member of these groups and attends to represent the views of employers as the implementation plan is rolled out."best wishes Cowleysarahcowley183@...http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn