Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Deferred
Paragraph: 46
Implement DDaT Pay Framework for NHS England specialists to improve recruitment and retention.
Recommendation
To ensure that the NHS is able to recruit the best candidates and sustainably meet demand for DDaT specialists, now and in the future, we recommend that the Department apply to implement the DDaT Pay Framework for NHS England DDaT specialists, which would allow additional pay measures including bonuses/”capability based allowances” for staff.
Government Response Summary
The government's response details various past and ongoing programs aimed at supporting patients, carers, and health service staff with digital skills and promoting NHS App awareness, rather than addressing the recommendation to implement a DDaT Pay Framework for specialists to aid recruitment.
Paragraph Reference:
46
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We have successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: • NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project was designed to test the efficacy of promoting NHS digital health products and services in languages other than English, to underrepresented, ethnically diverse communities (notwithstanding that the products or services themselves are in English). The level of engagement suggests an encouraging degree of receptivity in relation to ‘spoken word’ communications, even if the digital products are only available in English. • Digital Health Champions programme was a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online. It comprised an online learning and support platform to train people to become ‘digital health champions’ who can then “train” or familiarise local communities about NHS health resources and how to access NHS Services, particularly in Primary Care. • The Widening Digital Participation (WDP) programme ran from 2013 to 2020. This programme aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation and means to access health information and services online. The results from the phased programme with 220,000 participants in phase 1 (2013–16) and a further 166,162 in phase 2 (2017–20). Digital channels can also help reduce pressures on staff so that they have the time to support patients who prefer to use traditional services. For example, NHS England is rolling out a suite of materials to support awareness and adoption of existing, new and improved features in the App, including ‘how to’ guidance for GP practice staff and accessible content for patients—with clear messaging around the ease and benefits of use. This messaging will also form the basis of regional and national campaign opportunities and help to support frontline staff with NHS App rollout.