NHS Shared Business Services helps upskills health and care workforce

NHS Shared Business Services has launched its Digital Health Advisory Services framework agreement – a one-of-a-kind agreement to help the NHS augment the digital, data and technology skills and capabilities of its workforce.

The procurement solution will help health and care organisations address their immediate and short-term digital, data and technology (DDaT) expertise needs, compliantly and cost-effectively.

As the NHS experiences ever-more significant technological adoption, it will be vital that the workforce has the necessary skills to implement and operate digital transformation projects and initiatives. Without the required skillset, patient safety and care is compromised.

A Health Education England report from its Digital Readiness programme found that in the lead-up to 2030, an additional 32,000 full-time roles in DDaT would be required, in line with expected demand, to reach a forecasted required size of 78,000.

The NHS Shared Business Services Digital Health Advisory Services Framework agreement was developed in collaboration with NHS England’s Transformation Directorate. It comprises 40 carefully vetted providers of consultancy services that can support the delivery of IT projects, clinical informatics advisory, digital training and the provision of temporary staff with DDaT skills.

All of the providers specialise in digital healthcare and can help the NHS reach both its short-term and long-term goals for upskilling the workforce.

David Holbrook, senior category manager – digital workforce and IT transformation at NHS Shared Business Services, said: “The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan states that harnessing the opportunities presented by digital and technological innovations requires NHS staff to continue to build digital skills and capabilities.

“Workforce is one of the most cited challenges facing the NHS and the purpose of our framework agreement is to help accelerate successful digital adoption by providing immediate access to the tools, expertise and digital skills the NHS needs and to support it bridge the gap along its journey to transformation.”

The Digital Health Advisory Services framework agreement provides a range of digital advisory services across four lots: specialist clinical and healthcare digital consultancy; clinical and digital health delivery and augmentation; clinical data science and population health analytics; and digital skills in healthcare. The two-year framework has two potential 12-month extensions.

It is free to access for health and care services, including GP practices, hospitals, health centres, emergency services and integrated care systems.