Agenda item

Rebecca Bradd, Chief People Officer, Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board was in attendance for this item. 

1. Ms Bradd introduced and gave an overview of the report. The Kent and Medway People Strategy would complement local NHS organisation strategies, not replace them, and support the delivery of shared priorities.

2. A Member noted a lack of detail about engagement with staff, but Ms Bradd assured the Committee that there had been significant engagement with staff through the staff survey which engaged the entire workforce, as well as working groups sitting alongside the leadership team. In addition, all new starters were spoken to within their first year to understand their experiences and learn lessons to inform and prevent further instances of people leaving within their first year. 

3. The Committee reflected on the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on recruitment and retention. Ms Bradd said that was recognised by the ICB as a major challenge and it was working with the Integrated Care Partnership and wider partners to develop plans. The Chair said that elected members had a role in supporting the provision of affordable housing within their divisions, and the Council had a role in ensuring the provision of quality childcare and education places. Dr Rickard (LMC) said that the GP attraction package pilot had been well received and the Committee asked for an update on this. 

4. Members noted the importance of affordable housing and felt the provision of suitable housing options for the NHS workforce and other key workers needed to be a priority. 

5. Dr Rickard said that Kent Local Medical Committee (LMC) data had shown that 44% of General Practices had stopped advertising vacancies due to estates and financial uncertainty. It was also noted that GPs faced difficulty in organising training for new staff. Ms Bradd said they did not hold data on primary care vacancy and turnover rates, but they had been working with local practices to understand their workforce needs. It was said that the focus had been on attraction and retention through the primary care training hub. Practices had been supported in becoming tier 2 employers and 30 practices were hiring Kent Medical School students. 

6. Answering a question about staff involvement and attitudes, Ms Bradd said Trade Union representatives would be involved in the formation of local people plans. The ICB did not hold data on grievance complaints, staff disciplinaries or employment tribunals and these would be held at Trust level. 

7. A Member said that there needed to be more communication with the public about the impact on GP provision of a growing population. They also felt there needed to be greater explanation of the different clinical roles on offer from surgeries. The Chair added that the NHS must be clearer on how population growth arising from new housing developments would impact their services and adequately reflect these in Local Plan discussions. Ms Bradd said she would take these points away.   

8. A member sought further clarification on education and training. Ms Bradd said that the workforce already had a diverse range of skills and expertise and that the education of new trainees would address future skills gaps (such as the use of artificial intelligence).  

9. RESOLVED that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the People Strategy.