The working group considers the workforce implications of system reform and develops tools and guidance to support change whilst ensuring that the employment standards agreed in the NHS staff passport and the NHS staff pledges are embedded in NHS policies.
The group has had input into Department of Health policy documents including the procurement guidance, implementation advice on social enterprise, updates to Transforming Community Services, asset transfer and standard contracts.
The group is chaired jointly by a representative from the Department of Health and the NHS trade unions.
NHS Staff Passport toolkit
The Social Partnership Forum is committed to supporting staff through change and the NHS Staff Passport toolkit has been a popular tool since its first launch in November 2009. As the workforce implications of the NHS Health and Social Care Bill are made clear we will be working together to regularly update the toolkit to reflect these. The passport is currently up to date in reflecting legal practice and policy and will be amended as new information is confirmed.
Any Qualified Provider (AQP)
As part of the implementation of the government’s Any Qualified Provider
policy, the Department of Health has produced an AQP Resource Centre on the
NHS Supply2Health website which contains information on this issue for
employers and staff.
The Resource Centre also includes a set of frequently asked questions, developed through the SPF Staff Passport Group, for NHS staff.
The AQP Resource Centre will be updated when further information and
guidance becomes available.