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Coronavirus (COVID-19) overview
This page has up-to-date guidance and information from HEE, NHS England and NHS Improvement as well as the government to help health professionals, HEE staff and the public respond to coronavirus (COVID-19).
The latest coronavirus advice for clinicians is available on the NHS England and NHS Improvement’s website and specifically:
The latest government’s response to coronavirus and travel advice can be found on gov.uk.
If you’re a member of the public, you can find medical guidance on coronavirus on the NHS website.
You can also sign-up to alerts on infectious diseases on gov.uk.
Useful information
Guidance on statutory and mandatory training - 24 April 2020
Guidance on statutory and mandatory training for employers and staff returning to the NHS to support Covid-19 has been uploaded to the e-Learning for Healthcare website.
Recruitment of returning educators, academics and others to support HEE’s educational functions - 8 April 2020
We are recruiting experienced medical educators, academics and others to provide personal and organisational professional support during the COVID-19 emergency. These roles, undertaken remotely, demonstrate HEE’s continued commitment to the support and welfare of junior doctors at a time of increased stress. Find out more here.
Covid 19 – Returner Update
Chief People Officer, Prerana Issar and the Chief Professional Officers for the NHS in England, Suzanne Rastrick, have written to all those who took the decision to return to the NHS due to the Covid 19 pandemic, as well as all of those who where willing to return but are still waiting to be placed.
The letter thanks all of those who have come forward as well as discussing the coming challenges the NHS faces and explains how those who have returned and those who are still waiting to be deployed can continue to contribute, should they wish to.
To view the letter click here.
Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare has created an e-learning programme in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic that is free to access, without logging in, for the entire UK health and care workforce, including those working in the NHS, the independent sector and social care. More details here.
Medical workforce planning and deployment to support surge service delivery: HEE support for NHS England and NHS Improvement, 15 April 2020
There are lessons to be drawn nationally from the contribution the HEE regional team in London has made to the whole system medical workforce planning and deployment decisions taken to meet safely the surge in service demand from the current COVID-19 pandemic. This paper draws on these lessons to put forward a process for HEE’s national and regional teams to facilitate medical workforce planning and deployment in support of service delivery in other regions across England.
Joint statement regarding final year medical students who have graduated and provisionally registered doctors nearing the end of first year training
This statement sets out the UK wide approach to facilitating the early provisional registration as doctors of suitable final year medical students once they have graduated, and the early full registration of suitable Foundation Year 1 doctors.
COVID-19 and plans for management of medical and dental training programmes
This letter sent to trusts and GP practices on 10 March 2020, reiterates and reinforces HEE’s guidance developed for winter pressures and flu management. It provides information about the plans and contingency for management of medical and dental training programmes during emergent phases of the COVID-19 outbreak.
HEE recognises and values the significant contribution all our healthcare learners, including doctors in training, make to the delivery of care for patients. We know our learners are dedicated and committed professionals who act to help patients in need.
In exceptional circumstances, this may mean they need to work in different clinical areas or even in a different provider within their local healthcare system.
However, it is important that these circumstances are truly exceptional and that any diversion of doctors, or others from their training/ normal professional responsibilities does not become normalised.
HEE provides guidance for Trusts, GP practices or other healthcare settings facing exceptional pressures and will do everything we can to reduce the impact on learning and training progression of any placement move or change in service provision. The exceptional nature of such circumstances will be taken into account when assessing progress against curricula during this time.
Our postgraduate deans and regional teams will monitor any exceptional circumstances and liaise closely with our education providers.
HEE policy and procedure for management pandemic and major infectious diseases can be read in the attachment below.
Policy and Procedure for Management of Pandemic and Major Infectious Disease Outbreaks
The information previously provided has now been updated. Please visit the Covid-19 information page (October onwards) for the latest information.
Despite the suspension of training, HEE will ensure all Trusts continue to be paid in a timely manner. Read the letter sent to NHS Trusts here.
COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Toolkit for NHS Trusts
This toolkit is a collation of resources to support Trusts during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes sections on recovery planning, capacity and long-term impacts, workforce wellbeing, learning lessons, organisational resilience and innovation.
For any further assistance with evidence and knowledge please do connect with your local library service for your NHS organisations.