Support for the Change Process
The implementation of the EWTD is part of several changes affecting the NHS now and over the next few months, including the implementation of the New Deal for doctors in training, continued expansion of staff numbers, and increased flexibility within teams. It is important that these changes are viewed together. Additional support being given by the Department of Health includes:
EWTD Pilot Projects
A
programme of pilot projects is being funded by the Department of Health to test
a range of solutions to the implementation of the Directive. Details of these
projects will be made available on the EWTD website and will be updated
regularly to reflect progress. http:// www. doh. gov. uk/
workingtime/
All the pilots are being asked to fulfil a number of core functions:
Carry out a baseline assessment of the impact of EWTD for their services and a clear action plan for implementation. The data from this will be used as the basis for a wider assessment of the impact of EWTD.
Act as a focus of learning for the solutions they are testing, linking to other NHS Trusts within their Workforce Development Confederation and nationally.
Where appropriate, develop training programmes for new roles that can be accessed by other Trusts
Strategic Change Fund
To
support the required changes across the whole service, a strategic change fund
is to be made available and £7m has already been committed to pilot projects in
the period up to August 2004. This will be available to support the following
activities:
Development of non-medical roles to reduce dependence on medical out of hours cover.
Developing training programmes to support these new roles.
Developing new models of service delivery and working patterns, e. g. the emergency team.
Organisational development to facilitate the implementation of the new models
Other initiatives that will directly facilitate the achievement of EWTD compliance.
The aim is to develop a strategic approach to delivering the required changes across health communities, drawing on the solutions being developed within the pilot projects.
