Introduction

SWIFT moves to improve Health & Social Care

Introduction

A substantial amount is being invested on a programme of health-related schemes to improve life for people in Norfolk. Much of the money is being spent on training for carers and professionals and improving the way that services are managed and delivered. The aim is to raise the skills of people working in health and social care countywide. This programme, called SWIFT (Strategic Workforce Investment Funds for Tomorrow) is funded by NHS East of England and will be jointly delivered by NHS Norfolk, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and Norfolk County Council.

The training packages are:

• Advisory network and training for long term conditions advisors

• Training and support for unpaid carers and a drive to raise the profile of carers and the essential job they do

• Palliative care training involving care homes - which could lead to fewer people being admitted to hospital at the end of their life

• Helping health professionals understand the new drive to personalise health care (such as Personal Health Plans and Personal Health Budgets)

• Matching core competencies of Mental Health Practitioners across all sectors with national care pathways and providing appropriate training

• Ensuring the implementation of the Healthy Child Programme 0-5 through the lead of the health visitor

• Developing a healthy Child Programme Lead professional to co-ordinate the care given to families with a child under 5 year of age more collaboratively across the early years’ team.

• Develop information website and film for Assistive Technology and provide appropriate training in this field

• Develop training approaches to minimise falls in acute settings

• Train community staff in providing IV therapy, to move this service from acute hospitals to community where appropriate

• Training for community nursing teams and care homes in providing holistic approach to care

• Providing End life training for staff in the community, following the Liverpool Care Pathways

 

On top of these, there will be new roles, NHS apprenticeships and leadership development, helping staff rise to the challenges of tomorrow.

Director of Workforce at NHS Norfolk, Ian Tegerdine said: "I am very excited about the opportunity that this investment provides.
"The SWIFT projects will have a direct impact on people's lives. By improving the skills of the county workforce we shall be able to continue to deliver high quality health and social care in Norfolk."
He said the investment will work towards NHS Norfolk's five year plan "Bold and Ambitious" which pledges to help people remain healthy for longer, give patients greater choice and deliver more health care in the community rather than in hospitals, build on partnership working and improve leadership skills.
Tracey Greenwood, Associate Director of Human Resources at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, added: “This SWIFT funding will support workforce initiatives to achieve NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's vision of having the fastest improving health in England.
“As part of our Five-Year Strategy we have set out ambitious plans to continually improve the health services for our population, which will be delivered by NHS and social care staff across the whole health system. We are committed to working with our provider partners and using the SWIFT funding to target initiatives to deliver these improvements for the health and well being of the Great Yarmouth and Waveney population. We are delighted with the opportunities that SWIFT offers us.”