Flexing training facilities to meet peaks of demand

With the various IT initiatives being introduced through NHS Connecting for Health, there is one common factor underpinning successful implementation; the ability to successfully train NHS staff in an effective, timely, cost efficient manner.

Whilst there have been some successes with the use of e-learning in the NHS, it is likely a great deal of training delivered for systems such as electronic care records, will be through instructor led training (ILT).

All local service providers are committed to programmes of

‘Train the Trainer’, as part of their contractual agreements. Many trusts have already identified - and started - to develop the internal staff for training delivery.

Challenges

However, one of the challenges facing trusts is the lack of suitable training venues.

It is acknowledged there are limited appropriate training facilities in many NHS trusts to enable staff to use new IT systems.

With the responsibility for training staff in new technologies and applications resting with trusts, mobile training units can form an important resource to provide additional facilities that can be called upon when needed. Dr Phil Candy, NHS CFH director of education, training and development said: “Using these units will help to minimise disruption to frontline staff and is a cost-effective solution to meet training needs.”.

Among the problems often faced when developing training plans to support implementation is the ability to complete the training close to the ‘go live’ date. To ensure that learning is reinforced and put into practice.

Usually, this means the training plan must be compressed to no more than eight to10 weeks prior to the live date.

This puts enormous strain on existing trust IT training suites where resources are already highly utilised.

Case: Greater Manchester South East Sector

Elaine Richardson is Greater Manchester South East Sector project manager for implementation of the community patient administration system which is within the North-west West Midlands cluster.

She tackled the challenge of finding suitable training space for the 1200 nurses, healthcare professionals and administration staff requiring training.

The sector was committed to commissioning new IT training facilities, however they would not all be completed in time for the start of the training programme.

They turned to mobile classrooms. Three PC Pods were utilised on-site at the Glossop rural community rehab unit and Tameside offices for training NHS personnel on the new computer system required for introducing and implementing, the new NHS Care Record Service.

The PC Pod is a 10-seat mobile training unit containing all the learning tools and resources that would be found in a purpose-built IT training suite. Featuring the newest IT facilities, each PC Pod can be connected to an organisation’s existing network. Internet access can be provided too.

Six NHS staff trainers delivered skill development modules encompassing six sessions to support the administration and patient care learning elements.

Obtaining the skills to ensure successful management of the NHS Care Record, and achieving the right balance for the best standards of patient care, were key issues.

Elaine Richardson comments: “We had to consider several factors in undertaking the IT training to meet our needs. Training facilities had to be linked to the NHS N3 network”.

“So, we were restricted as to where we could do the training.

Off-site was not possible, so using our existing network we sited the PC Pods in the car parks next to the buildings”.

“The trainers were very impressed – and at home with - the PC Pods.

Each is well equipped with the essential IT systems and facilities, while delegates enjoyed the pleasant learning environment”.

“The vehicle design provides comfort and a sense of space – all conducive to providing an ideal learning environment.

Being on-site, staff time away from their day-to-day tasks and disruption to daily routines was minimised.”

She continues: “Our training programme continues to support our commitment to achieving the highest standards and best practice in the use of technology”.

“Ultimately, the prime objective and focus for training people in new IT skills should be for obtaining the highest standards possible in patient care.”

Case: Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust was the first to book PC Coaching mobile training units (MTUs) after NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CFH) appointed the firm as the sole provider of MTUs and trainers for the National Programme for IT across England last autumn.

The 800-bed hospital, one of the largest and busiest in the East of England, used two stand-alone PC Pods on-site to facilitate the iSOFT training needs of over 1,300 staff, including administrative and clerical staff, nurses and surgeons on its patient administration system.

The two-year framework agreement, managed by NHS CFH’s Education, Training and Development Programme, addresses the training facility shortage across the NHS for end user training delivery, in an initiative designed to strengthen support for the NPfIT.

Neil Turnbull, head of programme delivery at Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust commented: “We’ve used PC Coaching MTUs for very successful IT skills development roll-outs before, but while we needed to increase training capacity, under the new framework agreement we also achieved significant cost savings of nearly 20 per cent.

“The PC Pods meant the training proved most successful. We were able to manage the whole training process with minimal disruption to staff working schedules. Our staff obtained the necessary additional IT skills in a state-of-the-art, well laid-out learning environment. They learned in comfort too - a key benefit staff highlighted in positive delegate feedback.”

PC Coaching’s NHS project director Phil Gray said: “The agreement with NHS Connecting for Health makes it easier - and much faster - for NHS trusts to access our mobile training facilities and trainers.

“It ensures the training solution has been quality assured, as well as achieving significant cost savings from procuring nationally, rather than locally.”

More information

For more PC Coaching details see: www.pccoaching.com or learn@pccoachng.com.

Phone 0845 665 0733.