Background Information
- Introduction
- Agenda for Change
- Workforce Statistics Steering Group
- Workforce Statistics Reference Group
- Data Protection and Data Confidentiality
The information collected and presented within the NHSScotland Workforce Information web pages are used by ISD and NHS Boards to support local, regional and national workforce planning, and will only be used and disclosed in connection with these purposes. Workforce Statistics provide information on the number of staff in post and vacancies as at 30th September each year by various categories, for example, age group, gender, AfC band.
During January 2008 the information presented in these web pages changed to reflect the introduction of Agenda for Change. Historically, NHSScotland workforce information has been published in a format based on the pay structure, namely Whitley for the majority of staff. Agenda for Change is the new, national pay system which has introduced the new pay bands and harmonised terms and conditions for NHS Workers.
The presentation and format of these pages were agreed and designed in conjunction with the ISD Workforce Technical Reference Group which has ISD, NHS Board and Scottish Government representation. However it is recognised that the presentation within these web pages will evolve over time as more detailed information is captured via SWISS .
At 30th September 2009 99.98% of staff have assimilated onto Agenda for Change , staff who have not yet assimilated are reported under the 'not-assimilated' heading. This percentage excludes those not covered by AfC, such as medical and dental staff and senior managers.
The publication structure, example tables and the approach taken by the ISD Workforce Technical Reference Group is available in "Publication of NHSScotland Workforce data as at 30th September 2007" 
[478K]. An "Executive Summary" [111K] is also available.
Agenda for Change is the new national NHS pay system and will introduce new pay bands and harmonise terms and conditions for NHS workers. It replaces the previous Whitley Council system and is one of the key reform elements of the Pay Modernisation Agenda, focused on the need to deliver more effective patient-centred care, better value for money, and redesign of services.
The information presented in the NHSScotland Workforce Information pages changed during January 2008 to reflect the introduction of Agenda for Change (AfC). Historically, NHSScotland workforce information has been published in a format based on the pay structure, namely Whitley for the majority of staff. Agenda for Change is the new, national pay system, which has introduced the new pay bands and harmonised terms and conditions for NHS workers.
ISD workforce data is now based on codes available through AfC categories including job families, sub-job families and post descriptors. Other data, collected as part of SWISS developments, will add to the potential for further detail in the published data. Presentation of workforce data in the proposed groupings is dependent on accurate and appropriate recording of staff by NHS Boards in SWISS, particularly assimilation onto AfC.
There is a particular challenge in describing the Nursing and Midwifery workforce in the same level of detail as in the past. To offset this, the collection of the location of service delivery field will provide the hospital / community split for nursing and allow identification of those staff that work across both hospital and community settings. As long as the data collection exercise from Boards is complete and correct, it is expected that the published data will more accurately reflect where nursing services are delivered.
The change in both collection and presentation of workforce data due to changes to staff groupings under Agenda for Change has inevitably meant that the amount of historical trend analysis of data is limited, though still available for some high level staff groupings. However it is recognised that trend information presentation within these web pages will evolve over time as more detailed information is captured via SWISS. Further information on the challenges surrounding trend information can be found within the trend section of the website.
Workforce Statistics Steering Group
The Workforce Information Programme is responsible for all aspects of workforce statistics within ISD. The work of the Programme is overseen by the "Workforce Statistics Steering Group" (chaired by Anne Gent, HR Director, NHS Highland) to ensure it remains aligned to government policy, in particular A Force For Improvement: The Workforce Response to Better Health, Better Care, and the information requirements of NHS Scotland. For 2009/10, the Workforce Statistics Steering Group have agreed the following priority areas for 2009/10:
- Timely publication of workforce statistics to enable Boards to use the information in their Local Delivery and Workforce Plans. Information on staff in post as at 30 September 2009 will be published in December 2009.
- Work with the SWISS team and NHS Boards to address data quality issues for staff assimilated to Agenda for Change, agreeing action plans with each Board to address issues.
- Modernise the technology used by staff in ISD to allow more timely publication of workforce statistics and response to information requests and parliamentary questions through the development of a workforce data mart that will bring together the various historic data sources of workforce information as well as housing snap-shots from the current SWISS system.
- Provide analytical support to workforce planning initiatives across NHS Scotland, focussing on continued support to the development of the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce and Workload tools, and support for other staff groups as resources allow including Haps, pharmacists and healthcare support workers.
- Work with colleagues in SGHD and NHS Boards to consider developing a "national workforce planning model" (similar to a model developed in Wales ) to support NHS Boards in scenario planning.
- Work with Higher Education Institutions across Scotland to facilitate the consistent collection and reporting of Higher Education Intake information for Nursing & Midwifery and AHPs.
The ISD Workforce Statistical Steering Group Remit [35K] and the minutes from the ISD Workforce Statistics Steering Group meeting are also available on request.
ISD Workforce Technical Reference Group
This group, previously known as the ISD Workforce Steering group, was initially established in August 2006 in response to issues raised by NHS Boards and regions regarding workforce information. At the time, the purpose of the group was to provide an interface between ISD, the SGHD and the service and to ensure that SWISS developments were prioritised to best suit the immediate and medium-term information needs of the NHS Boards, regions and the SGHD.
The group has played a pivotal role in prioritising the Workforce teams conflicting demands as well as ensuring the successful publication of Agenda for Change workforce information, as detailed in the "Publication of NHSScotland Workforce data as at 30th September 2007" [478K] document. An "Executive Summary" [110K] is also available.
The Better Health, Better Care: planning tomorrows workforce today sets out the national direction of travel for workforce planning. In order to ensure the workforce team at ISD supports this, a new ISD Workforce Statistics Steering group has been established. The reference group will work in conjunction with the Steering Group to ensure operational and quality issues are addressed.
The ISD Workforce Technical Reference Group Remit [35K] and minutes from the ISD Workforce Technical Reference Group meetings are also available on request.
Data Protection and Data Confidentiality
Data protection is always our primary concern and proposals are always subjected to close scrutiny in terms of the ethics of privacy and confidentiality. For further information please visit the data protection and confidentiality website.
The information collected through the workforce data collections is handled by the Information Services Division (ISD) of the NHS National Services Scotland of NHSScotland. The Data Protection Act 1998 regulates how ISD handles personal information, and in compliance with the Act, ISD's processing of personal data has been notified to the Office of the Information Commissioner. A copy of this notification is available on-line at the Information Commissioner's website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk under 'NHS National Services Scotland for the Scottish Health Service'. ISD also complies with the Data Protection Principles set out in the Act in its storing, processing and disclosure of personal information.
ISDs rules which cover the care and release of confidential data are also routinely adhered to when handling workforce information and are available at the following link - Confidentiality
