HEE completes in-depth stakeholder perception survey

Health Education England (HEE) has a vital role to play in developing the workforce of the future as an expert partner in the healthcare system.

The survey suggests stakeholders see a clear role for HEE as a core partner in delivering the People Plan with stakeholders, locally, regionally and nationally as a distinct organisation focussed on workforce education, training, transformation and planning. Stakeholders want HEE to continue to collaborate fully with others and be clear about its vision and direction. These are the main findings from a major first of its kind survey among a wide range of HEE’s stakeholders, including NHS Trusts and other ALBs.

The survey looked at how HEE works with other bodies involved in healthcare, including provider organisations, the education sector, and other system partners, in readiness for the effective delivery of the NHS People Plan and HEE’s ongoing national priorities.

The main findings include:

• HEE has played a key part in the development of new roles now in the system, such as nursing associates and physican associates;
• The system is complex and HEE should be clearer on its core purpose;
• HEE should remain a distinct organisation as part of the wider system
• Across all stakeholders, there is recognition that individuals within HEE are seen as supportive, and working relationships are good, but that more progress could continue to be made on joint working;
• Workforce planning is the NHS’s biggest challenge, and one where HEE must continue to play a key role;
• HEE’s expertise in workforce planning and transformation has been recognised.

Professor Ian Cumming, chief executive, Health Education England said:

“It is encouraging to see the system recognises HEE’s expertise and role in workforce planning and transformation. There is always more that we can achieve and we will continue to build relationships across the system and strengthen how we work with NHS England and Improvement through the development and delivery of the NHS People Plan, as well as more broadly on national programmes and through our new regional teams.”

Moving forward, stakeholders in the system want to see:

• a clearer definition of roles between HEE and NHSE/I and no duplication between both organisations;
• both organisations continuing to collaborate to ensure greater partnership working;
• HEE retaining its independence and ability to exert influence; and
• HEE improving its engagement with stakeholders

Next steps and a delivery action plan will be discussed at Board.

About the survey

• 61 qualitative depth interviews of high priority stakeholders were facilitated between 15^th July and 6^th September.
• A quantitative online survey ran 15^th July – 26^th August which received 602 completed responses, achieving an overall response rate of 23%.

A few quotes from the survey

“The tides have turned quite significantly in the last 2 years –the system accepting what’s been developed in the People Plan which gives HEE a more prominent place in driving change in the NHS over the next 10 years... It’s an exciting moment for HEE, the wind is in their sails.” A Professional Body

“There is a really exciting role for HEE to play in getting the medical education establishment to move faster towards the future world, to multi-professional, multi-disciplinary teams, more digitally enabled workforce.” National Body/ALB

HEE Stakeholder survey Board paper

Presentation