North West
Find out more about the North West SPF.
The North West (NW) SPF was established by employers, trade unions and NHS Employers' North engagement team.
Priorities for 2024/25
- Workforce planning and the role of NHS organisations as anchor institutions.
- Staff health and wellbeing, focusing on flexible working, anti-racism and disability.
- Attracting, supporting and retaining a diverse NHS workforce.
Achievements for 2023/24
- In September 2023, our joint chairs issued a statement on supporting staff with long COVID. The statement signposts employers and staff side colleagues to guidance issued by the NHS Staff Council in 2022.
- We ran a successful North SPF conference focusing on health inequalities and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), showcasing best practice (LGTBQ+/ fertility and deaf awareness).
- We received regular input from NHS England's regional director of workforce on strategic workforce initiatives and NHS Long Term Workforce Plan core themes, incorporating partnership discussions on train, retain, reform (with focus on forum priorities flexible working, EDI, supply etc).
- We had regular discussions with national colleagues on NHSE's people policy frameworks and on cost of living pressures, implications of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) used in NHS buildings, and sharing best practice and initiatives.
- We showcased a shortlisted entry HPMA awards on partnership working from Liverpool University Hospitals.
Meet the team
- Trade union co-chair - James Bull, Regional Organiser, UNISON.
- Management co-chair - Mike Gibney, Chief People Officer, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
Contact us
For further information on the NW SPF, please contact the North team.
