New NHS scheme to be piloted in Staffordshire

Together We're Better, the health and care partnership for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, has been chosen by NHS Leadership Academy to spearhead the new "high potential scheme" to develop future healthcare leaders.

The two-year programme, which launched on Wednesday(31), is the first of its kind for the NHS and Together We're Better is welcoming applications from existing and aspiring leaders.

Linda Holland, director of workforce, organisational development and inclusion at North Staffs Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We are excited to be the pilot area for the new High Potential Scheme, which will help nurture the leadership talent that already exists within our workforce. Health and care across the country faces many challenges and the need to be innovative, work more efficiently and maintain a high quality of service for patients has never been greater.

"To meet those challenges, we need leaders who have practical experience, excellent knowledge of our staff and systems, and who understand that positive outcomes for the patient are the priority.

“Recruits to the scheme will gain practical leadership experience in a range of roles and settings, alongside strategic experience through assignments and projects. They will also work with a career coach to design a bespoke development plan that supports them to achieve the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to become outstanding, compassionate and inclusive senior leaders across health and care.”

Simon Whitehouse, director of Together We're Better, added: "I am delighted that we have been chosen by the NHS Leadership Academy as their first partner from all the STP’s across the country for the launch of this important new programme.

"We all know that the workforce challenge across health and care is one of the biggest that we collectively face. It is exciting to be a partner in this and is a great opportunity for our local leaders to be able to access development and support to enable them to lead even more effectively and to further improve the local health and care system.

"I would encourage colleagues from across the system to consider this as part of their development.”