Workforce Innovations Programme
The North East Neurosciences Network, established in March 2008, identified local and regional gaps in Neurology /Neuroscience services through local and regional audits.
The services are traditionally delivered by very few specialists, mainly operating from tertiary centres, with some ad hoc outreach services in a few areas. The tertiary centres cover services into Cumbria and North Yorkshire, due to the pathways for access to neurosciences, thus stretching their roles and capacity even further.
Many of the developments of new specialist nurse and AHP roles are initially funded by the 'voluntary organisations associated with neurology' i.e. MS society, Parkinsons UK, Epilepsy Action, but these developments have been historically ad hoc and unplanned with PCTs (who have to pick up the funding for posts after 2 years).
The Programme Aim:
The aim is to innovatively build capacity within the specialist workforce over a minimum of 2 years, in order to cascade knowledge and skills and support to other staff, particularly in the community and into integrated health and social care systems. At the same time these specialists need support to develop confidence and community working skills and behaviours appropriate for community working. The programme will run from April 2009 - March 2011.
The programme is funded under Workforce Development Innovations Funding by NHS North East.
The Programme is:
It is a modular, accredited mentorship programme, underpinned by action research.
- The Programme will deliver improved neuro skills, standards, service development and a strengthened regional network, through the development of mentors and mentees whose activity will be evidenced by improved outcomes for and with people affected by long term neurological conditions (LTnC).
Mentorship Development
Overview
- The Action Research will capture evolving workforce evidence from the Programme to inform the development of community models leading to improved outcomes. Although regionally delivered, the research will provide evidence for use nationally.
This initiative will deliver:
- 10 Mentors with a broader perspective than that of their current roles.
- 10 Mentees with a community orientation to their service delivery
- Evidence base of knowledge, skills and application into practice for the Region that would form the basis of requirements for future recruitment across the Region and potential roll out across the country.
- Local Neuro forums established in each PCO area.
Programme Overview
Programme Modules
Programme Pathway
