An initial internet search has identified the following ... · Web viewWord processing. Spreadsheets. Databases. Presentations. Information and communication. 5.2.2. ... (MCTS)

Directory ofHealth Informatics

Organisations

Health Informatics Review

Prepared by Anne McAllisterJanuary 2007

HI Review Directory of Health Informatics Organisations

______________________________________________________________________________________

1 Delivering Services

11 The Information Centre for health and social care httpwwwicnhsuk

From IC website httpwwwicnhsukservicesnewinformaticsThe IC has the responsibility to set values and standards of best practice in information collection management and usage These standards are incorporated into a national database managed by Skills for Health This ensures that we promote the production of quality data collections for interpretation and analysis both internally and externally by health care trusts and authoritiesWe aim to become the national champion for information analysis staff and teams inclusive of information management statisticians and public health intelligence staff in health and social care for professional development recognition and career pathwaysIt is our responsibility to develop policies and practices standards tools and guidance in the field of information management

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CfH) httpwwwconnectingforhealthnhsuk

Health Informatics Programme takes a lead in developing a health informatics profession across the UK enabling the NHS to plan implement use share information and achieve maximum benefits from the introduction of the new information and IT systemsSits within the service Implementation Directorate

The core purpose of the Education Training and Development (ETD) domain is to encourage and accelerate the uptake spread and creative use of information and communication technologies and software applications that support high-quality patient-centred healthcare

The ETD Work programme includes National Education Training and Development Programme (ETD) Establishment of NHS Faculty of HI Supporting delivery of basic IT skills through ECDL Supporting people networks and knowledge sharing through Informatics website Supporting delivery of the national human resource strategy for HI ndash Making Information

Continuing Professional Development

Develop Occupational

Standards(IC)

Workforce Planning(NHS Healthcare

Workforce)

Recruitment Retention

Recruitment agency

(NHS Careers)

Recruitment Employers

NHS Employers

Coordinate Education Training

______________________________________________________________________________________

Continuing to develop partnerships with higher and further education establishments Supporting informatics development in primary care Supporting and developing the HI specialist community NHS Leadership in HI Accolade Scheme Professional awards in IM and technology in health

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13 NHS Healthcare Workforce httpwwwhealthcareworkforcenhsuk

Their mission according to their website is ldquoEnabling advising and improving NHS workforce planningrdquo NHS Healthcare Workforce operates a webportal provides one-stop access to NHS healthcare workforce planning information knowledge intelligence and practical tools It is home to NHS National Workforce Projects and the Workforce Review Team

The Workforce Review Team gives expert advice on workforce planning for the NHS WRT pro-duce reliable data and intelligence about the workforce needed to deliver high quality modern health and social care to meet changing demands Their website says that their ldquoanalysis is trus-ted and helps drive decision making and shape workforce strategies We have a reputation for ac-curacy and impartialityrdquo

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14 NHS Employers httpwwwnhsemployersorg

The employers organisation for the NHS in England giving employers throughout the NHS an in-dependent voice on workforce and employment matters Their goal is to make the NHS an em-ployer of excellenceOffers a range of services including

Leading negotiations on behalf of employers to modernise pay terms and conditions for doctors dentists nurses and other health professionals including Agenda for Change and the NHS pension review

Offering advice and support to NHS organisations in recruitment and retention and are responsible for NHS Careers including NHS Jobs

Overseeing implementation of the IWL standard share good practice and help organisations to promote equality and diversity in the workplace

Leading contract negotiations on behalf of employers on the General Medical Services contract for GPs The team is also involved in contract discussions covering community

Advising on issues ranging from healthy workplaces to safer recruitment and European employment legislation

Running a range of events and seminars to share best practice get informed and network with colleagues

Operating a media to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers Links to up-to-date information on workforce issues in the NHS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 NHS Careers httpwwwnhscareersnhsuk

Launched in 1999 NHS Careers is the information service for careers in the National Health Ser-vice (NHS) in England The service consists of a telephone and email helpline website literature and supporting services for NHS employers schools colleges and careers advisors

______________________________________________________________________________________

The aim of NHS Careers is to operate and develop an enquirer led accessible and objective ser-vice providing information on NHS career opportunities in England Specifically NHS Careers aims to

Offer a multimedia careers information service Encourage the public to consider the NHS as an employer Attract potential employees to the NHS Attract former staff to return to the NHS Support other NHS recruitment and retention initiatives Be an integral part of the national recruitment retention and return strategy for the NHS

Commissioned by the Department of Health NHS Careers is managed by NHS Employers

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16 Primary Care Information Services (PRIMIS+) httpwwwprimisnhsuk

PRIMIS+ is a free service to primary care organisations (GPs and their staff) to help them improve patient care through the effective use of their clinical computer systems

PRIMIS+ is delivered as part of the NHS Connecting for Healths Education Training and Development Programme PRIMIS+ works via information facilitators funded by local Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) to provide GP practices with

Training in information management skills and recording for data quality Analysis of data quality plus a comparative analysis service focused on key clinical topics Feedback and interpretation of the results of data quality and comparative analyses Support in developing action plans to improve data quality Support in achieving accredited standards for good

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 NHS Classifications Service httpwwwconnectingforhealthnhsukclinicalcoding

The Service is responsible for The development and maintenance of classification data standards used in the NHS

(currently ICD-10 and OPCS-4) associated products including cross maps from SNOMED CT to these classifications

Development of an up-to-date intervention classification to reflect current clinical activity in the NHS and meets the needs of Payment By Results (PbR)

It delivers an education training and accreditation programme for health informatics specialists ie clinical coders and provides expert classifications knowledge on associated coding standards guidance products training and qualification for the clinical coding community It also supports the delivery of national information and infrastructure services across the NHS

Training and AccreditationThe NHS Classifications Service is committed to ensuring the high quality and integrity of clinical coding training and accreditation delivered to the NHS via

Portfolio of clinical coding courses 2006-7 to support the professional development of clinical coding staff in the NHS and ensure consistent use of national standards

E-learning products to support the professional development of clinical coding staff in the NHS through self-paced learning compliant with national coding standards New materials added to support OPCS-43

______________________________________________________________________________________

Training materials developed and produced centrally to ensure compliance with current national coding standards and guidelines

National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK) in partnership with the Institute of Health Records and Management Information ndash the awarding body for the qualification ndash to support coding excellence through accreditation

Train-the-trainer programme that promotes good practice in delivering high quality training compliant with national standards

National clinical coding audit framework and Auditor Code of Practice to support local NHS organisations improve their data quality and provide Payment by Results assurance

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Regulatory bodies

21 UK Council for Health Informatics Professionals (UKCHIP) httpwwwukchiporguk

Regulatory body formed in 2002 to promote professionalism in Health Informatics (HI) UKCHIP is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and sponsored by the British Computer Society (BCS) NHS Connecting for Health ASSIST (the Association of Informatics Professionals in Health and Social Services) and The UK Institute for Health Informatics It also works closely with many other bodies including the Information Centre for Health and Social Care BMIS IHRIM CILIP and IHM

It serves the following constituencies Information and Communications Technology (ICT) The development management and

support of the ICT infrastructure in a healthcare organisation Health Records - The collating organising accessing and archiving of patientclient re-

cords Information Management - The retrieval analysis interpretation and presentation of health

data and information Knowledge Management - Providing the knowledge to support health professionals and

management staff in their education training development and professional practice Senior HI Managers and Directors of Service - Senior Managers and Directors may come

from any of the specialist areas and Directors will report to or be operating at organisa-tional Board level

Clinical Informatics - The capture communication and use of patient data and clinical knowledge by doctors and other health professionals

Education Training and Development - The assessment of health informatics ETD needs and the planning delivery and evaluation of ETD courses and programmes

Research - Research staff gather data through both primary and secondary sources which they evaluate objectively to provide evidence for best practice in health informatics

UKCHIP operates a Registration Scheme for HI professionals who agree to work to clearly defined standards There are 3 Registration Levels - eligibility for registration at each level is based on an assessment of the applicantrsquos qualifications experience and employment profile

1 for those who are either relatively new to the profession or whose work does not require a particularly high level of Health Informatics knowledge or experience

2 for those who have begun to develop a career in Health Informatics3 for those whose careers in Health Informatics have reached a stage where they have the

knowledge and experience to provide professional leadership

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

______________________________________________________________________________________

22 Sector Skills CouncilsSSCs are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills

221 Skills for Health (SfH) wwwskillsforhealthorguk

SfH was established in April 2002 and licensed by the SSC for health in May of 2004 It is part of the NHS being hosted by a Trust but with its own Board and management SfH covers the whole health sector ndash NHS independent and voluntary employers

Specific programmes Develops and manages national workforce competences Hosts the National Occupational Standards (NOS) including the HINOS Hosts the Career framework for health

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

222 Skills for Care httpwwwskillsforcareorguk

Working in consultation with carers employers and service users Skills for Care aims to modern-ise adult social care in England by ensuring qualifications and standards continually adapt to meet the changing needs of people who use care servicesThey do this by

Developing national standards and a qualification framework for the care sector ( the NOS for Health and Social care functions has one standard for Informatics (UNIT HSC3115 Re-ceive analyse process use and store information (level 3))

Collecting skills data and researching issues affecting carers and people who use care ser-vices

Creating a national workforce development strategy for all sectors Building employer-led regional support networks to liaise with health local government and

education at local regional and national level

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

223 E-Skills UK httpwwwe-skillscom

Sector Skills Council for IT amp Telecoms and lead body for Contact Centres A not-for-profit employer-led organisation its mission is to ensure the UK has the skills it needs to compete in the global economy Brings together employers educators and Government to address together the technology-related skills issues no one party can solve on its own It provides advice services and programmes that have a measurable impact on IT related skills development in the UKThe Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) for IT embodies this work in the form of an Action Plan out-lining a common strategy for the next 3 years

Services include Career guidance Hosts the IT national occupational standards SFIA Profiler - a light touch fast-start skills assessment tool that supports the latest SFIA

version 3 CPD tools E-skills Passport Care Skills Passport

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

23 Health Professions Council httpwwwhpc-ukorg

______________________________________________________________________________________

(Predecessor body was Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM))The HPC is a regulator whose job is to protect the health and wellbeing of people who use the services of the health professionals registered with them Created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions order 2001

They keep a register of health professionals that meet their standards and take action if registered health professionals do not meet the standards They also maintain a register of approved qualifications for each professionThey register members of 13 professions including

Arts therapists Biomedical scientists ChiropodistsPodiatrists Clinical scientists Dieticians Occupational Therapists Operating department practitioners Orthoptists Paramedics Physiotherapists Prosthetists and orthotists Radiographers Speech and language therapists

Legislation enables them to regulate members of other professions in the future Aspirant groups must

Cover a discrete area of activity displaying some homogeneity Apply a defined body of knowledge Practise based on evidence of efficacy Have at least one established professional body which accounts for a significant proportion

of that occupational group Operate a voluntary register Have defined routes of entry to the profession Have independently assessed entry qualifications Have standards in relation to conduct performance and ethics Have Fitness to Practise procedures to enforce those standards Be committed to continuous professional development (CPD)

Health Informatics groups have been lobbying for registration but have not been successful

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

______________________________________________________________________________________

3 Professional Associations

31 British Computer Society

311 The Association for Informatics Professionals in Health and Social Care (ASSIST) httpwwwbcsorgserverphpshow=nav7898

ASSIST is a professional association for those working in and for informatics in healthcare and social care Its objective is to develop professionalism and professional standards and to work with other bodies including government to provide a voice for informatics professionals Became part of the British Computer Society in February 2006Membership is open to anyone with an interest in Health Informatics within Health or Social Care professionsMembership benefits

Regional branch offers networking opportunities within your area Educational and informative events throughout the year Discounts for appropriate events run by other organisations Quarterly newsletter

ASSIST produces a quarterly newsletter

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

312 BCS Health Informatics Forum httpwwwbcsorgserverphpshow=nav6044

The British Computer Society (BCS) has set up a number of forums to ldquodevelop policy drive strategy forward organize representation and agree on an authoritative viewrdquoThe HI Forum was formed to cover all aspects of Informatics in support of Health and provides leadership in this sector acting as a source of professionally recognized expertise under-pinning the outward-facing role of BCS and ensuring that contributors to Health Informatics are recognized and respected

Activities of the HI Forum Informs and influences overall BCS policy Hosts quarterly meetings (Jan Apr Jul Oct) Co-hosts the Healthcare Computing (HC) Conference - the largest most comprehensive

Health Informatics event in Europe held in Harrogate each March Comments on all major reports and proposals from Government Meets with Government ministers or departments where necessary Compiles via its Policy Group responses to relevant Government documents from the

Home Countries European Commission and internationally It also prepares BCSHIF Policy on other Health Informatics issues

Publishes work funds projects and arranges workshops to develop the science of health informatics

Appoints the UK representatives to the two relevant international bodies - International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) and European Federation of Medical Informatics (EFMI)

Works with the NHS the Medical Royal Colleges NHS IT organizations and other bodies towards developing health informatics professionalism in the UK through the UK Council for Health Informatics Professions (UKCHIP)

______________________________________________________________________________________

BCS Health Informatics Forum interconnections

BCSHIF

Consists of

Member Group(s)

Specialist Groups

Carries out strategic activity for

BCSHIF Strategic Panel

Provides national reps officers and WGSIG members forInternational

Medical Informatics Association

European Federation of Med Inf

Has expert reps on

Standards Ctteeseg BSI

HI ndashinterests of Other

UK prof socs

Liaises with

BCS Boards Member services Quality Stds

External Relations Knowledge Services

Forums Trustee

Contributes to

Contribute to

Reports to

HI Professional Development Board

Is advised by

UK Council for Health Informatics Professions

Sponsors

HI experts in clinical areas

Sit on

Royal Colleges professional and

gov cttees

In dialogue informs consults

CFH HSCIC eGov Unit home countries hellipNHS HI

Faculty

recognises

Identifies direction advises

Version July06

(Forum groupings)

BCS Specialist Groups Exec

313 BCS Health Informatics Professional Development Board httpwwwbcsorgserverphpshow=nav8196

This Board was formed to act as the prime source of expertise and leadership for the health informatics profession in the United Kingdom In particular to the education development training registration accreditation recruitment remuneration career pathways organization supplydemand and retention of health informatics practitioners Includes those working in health informatics both with and for the NHS in the UKHas 45 members listed on its webpage Chair is Andrew Haw vice-chair Pam Hughes

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

32 UK Health Informatics Society (previously British Medical Informatics Society) httpwwwbmisorg

The BMiS (British Medical Informatics Society) was founded in 1986 The Societys purpose is to advance the knowledge and application of medical and health informat-ics understood as the skills and tools that enable the sharing and use of information to deliver healthcare and promote healthThe website states that the society has over 260 members world-wide but website does not appear to have been kept up to date (since late 2004) Membership is open to all including professionals citizens patients and users of healthcare and health information who share the Societys concerns and objectivesUKHIS publishes a quarterly newsletter

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 10 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

33 Government IT Profession (GITP) httpwwwciogovukitprofession

The IT equivalent of the GSS The aim of the Government IT Profession is to recognise a Government-wide IT Profession up to and including board level and to provide IT Professionals with the opportunity to reach the highest levels of the Public Service

It aims to do this by Developing a competency framework to support the career development of IT

Professionals across government Supporting the initial launch and development of the Government IT Profession with an on-

going communications programme Actively engaging individuals in networking and mentoring activities Establising the Government IT Academy to support both the professional development of IT

Professionals in government and the building of a culture and identity for the Profession Identifying required lsquocapability buildingrsquo programmes to provide training and leadership

development support for government IT Professionals Engaging with the Human Resources community to involve them in the establishment of

the IT Profession as well as to begin to address perceived lsquopay and rationsrsquo issues Working in partnership with the Programme amp Project Management and Procurement

professions towards their shared agendas and to foster excellent working relationships and exchange of knowledge and skills between disciplines

In the process of setting up an ldquoNHSrdquo Branch

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

34 Government Statistical Service (GSS) httpwwwstatisticsgovukrecruitmentgssdefaultasp

The GSS is a decentralised organisation which is spread across most Government Departments It comprises about 7000 civil servants who work in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in 30 or more other UK Government Departments or in the two devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales The primary function of these staff is to collect analyse and disseminate statistics Staff in the GSS operate within an ONS-administered personnel framework which sets standards for recruitment qualifications competence and training GSS staff come under the managerial authority of a designated Head of Profession for Statistics

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

35 Royal Statistics Society (RSS) httpwwwrssorgukmainasppage=0

The RSS is the UKs only professional and learned society devoted to the interests of statistics and statisticians The Society has an international membership and is active in a wide range of areas both directly and indirectly pertaining to the study and application of statistics The Societys activities include

1 Nurturing and stimulating the discipline and profession of statistics through publications and meetings

2 Promoting the discipline and profession of statistics through its links with education govern-ment industry and the media

3 Serving the interests of all statisticians through the setting of professional standards

Five types of membership1 Fellowship

- 11 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

2 Professional member 3 Section and local group membership4 Student membership5 Associate school membership

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

36 Professional Association of Clinical Coders UK (PACC) httpcodeinfoorgpaccukindexhtml

PACC is the only organisation solely dedicated to supporting clinical coders in the UKThe Association was formed to improve the profile and status of clinical coders and other profes-sionals working within the UK clinical classifications arena Limited Company Limited by Guarantee and is managed through a Board of Directors and the As-sociation CouncilPACC has developed an ethical code

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

37 Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) httpwwwciliporgukdefaultcilip

CILIP is the professional body for librarians information specialists and knowledge managersThere are up to 23000 CILIP members working in all sectors including

business and industry science and technology further and higher education schools local and central government the health service the voluntary sector national and public libraries

CILIP accredits qualifications for library and information professionals at postgraduate and undergraduate level

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 12 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

4 HI Education Providers

41 NHS Organisations

411 NHS Faculty of Health Informatics httpwwwinformaticsnhsuk

The Faculty aims to recruit health informatics champions to develop a national community of prac-tice for health informatics learning and development applied research and professional services The faculty gives individuals the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge and have access to specialists and academics providing up to date and leading edge thinking in health informatics Being led by Diane Wilson CFHIt is governed by a board comprising 15 Faculty Board members which were appointed in February 2006 following an online ballot The Board is responsible for

Considering and endorsing programme plans content and ensures quality of activities Acting as champion and support the marketing and promotion of the Faculty by creating

work to take activities forward as required Setting directions and principles for the Faculty and support the establishment of a pro-

gramme of events

412 UK Alliance for e-learning in Health httpwwwnhselearningdatabaseorguk

Responsible for the NHS and Social Care E-learning resources databaseThe purpose of this database is to capture and share details of e-learning programs that have been developed and are available for use within the health and care sector By accessing this database it is hoped that it will be helpful in

Sharing details of programs and resources being used to support the training and educa-tion of the health and care workforce

Encourage the potential of shared developments and maximise public investment Promote good practice in the development of e-learning programs and resources Prevent duplication

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

413 NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement httpwwwinstitutenhsuk

NHS I was established in 2005 It replaced NHS University (NHSU) It aims to support the NHS with high-impact solutions to some of its biggest challenges as well as innovative ideas new practices and technologies that will really make a difference to the delivery of patient care Its mission is ldquoto improve health outcomes and raise the quality of delivery in the NHS by accelerating the uptake of proven innovation and improvements in healthcare delivery models and processes medical products and devices and healthcare leadershiprdquo

The Institute is underpinned by specialist competences in leadership learning service transformation and technology and product innovation

The Institute operates a Leadership Programme and administers the NHS Leadership Qualities Framework

The Learning Team aims to promote a culture of learning of innovation and improvement for all NHS staff

The National Innovation Centre will work to speed up the development and adoption of technological innovations that deliver the best results for the patient The NIC will provide a single point of entry to innovators of healthcare technology and will consider ideas and products (through a web based assessment process) at every stage of development and will signpost them to the most suitable parties for further development

- 13 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

42 Information management training providers

421 Office for National Statistics (ONS) Statistical Training UnithttpwwwstatisticsgovukabouttrainingdownloadsStatsTraining_A4pdf

The ONS runs a number of training courses which are open to other members of the GSS on a cost recovery basis The Statistical Training Unit is based within the Office for National Statistics at the Newport and Titchfield sites

The Unit currently provides and coordinates statistical training courses to the ONS and GSS in the following

The Royal Statistical Society Ordinary Certificate An A-Level in Maths with Statistics (held at the Newport ONS site only) The Royal Statistical Society Higher Certificate The MSc in Official Statistics run jointly with Southampton University ONS Methodology Workshop

The Unit are also able to deal with queries regarding other statistical training courses and to offer assistance in locating appropriate statistical courses for the individual where required

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

422 Institute of Health Records and Information Management (IHRIM) httpwwwihrimcouk

IHRIM was established in 1948 primarily as an educational body Its objectives are ldquoto provide qualifications at different levels as well as career and professional as-sistance for members working in the field of health records information clinical coding and related professionsIt has a suite of qualifications for Health Records Staff

Certificate of Technical Competence Basic Level Certificate of Technical Competence Advanced Level Foundation Certificate of the Institute Intermediate Certificate of the Institute Diploma of the Institute National Clinical Coding Qualification

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 14 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

43 Academic Institutions

431 Yorkshire Centre for Health Informatics httpwwwychileedsacukychiedu_masteraspx

A Joint initiative between Yorkshire Centre for Health Informatics (YCHI) University of Leeds and Yorkshire and the Humber NHS Informatics community that provides Leadership Management De-velopment Programmes for Health Informatics Professionals The Centre operates a 5 tier pro-gramme

Yorkshire Centre for Health Informatics 5 tier programme1 Leadership ldquoStriving for Excellence - Personal Leadership and Service Transformationrdquo

For graduates of the Masterclass7 month programme including 6 workshops Maximum 12 participants delivered by University of Leeds

2 Masterclass ldquoInformatics Leadership and the New NHSrdquo

For Directors of Informatics and aspiring directors in NHS organisationsEach class has a policy presentation a leadership session group working and a non-NHS perspective4 one day modules October - May maximum 35 participants Details here

3 Emerging Leaders ldquoRealising potential in yourselves and othersrdquo

For team leaders and other middle managers in Informatics Ser-vices to improvedevelop their interpersonal effectiveness core management competencies and leadership skills Delivered by the NHS using programmes already in place for other areas of management3 per year to run simultaneously Maximum 75 (25 per programme)

4 CPD ndash Service Update Seminars For all HI professionalsRange of presentations on nationalregional perspectives over-views of current and future IT technologies as well as local IT im-plementations Presenters come from NHS DH IT Health Industry and University of Leeds Opportunity for networking with colleagues discussing similar challenges and ideas6 seminars per year Maximum 100 participants

5 Understanding the Business of the NHS

For new HI staff existing help desk and technical staffMonthly courses as required 12 participants max Delivered by YCHI and NHS organisations

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

432 Centre for Health Informatics Research and Development (CHIRAD) httpwwwchiradorg

CHIRAD aims to provide an environment for the development of HI as an academic subject It is a company limited by guarantee that is a non-for-profit organisation and claims to be the first RampD centre for Health Informatics It is an academic Institutional member of the International Medical Informatics Association

CHIRAD is leading a project in conjunction with BCSHIF and IMIA that is being jointly funded by BCSHIF and the International Medical Informatics project to explore the theoretical constructs un-derpinning health informatics A meeting was held at Otley in March 2005 that produced a report an IMIA Scientific Map and the ducks and ponds

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 15 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

433 Centre for Health Informatics and Multiprofessional Education (CHIME)httpwwwchimeuclacuk

Established in 1995 as a joint initiative of UCL and the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust CHIME un-dertakes research and provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in information and quality management to support clinical practice and to benefit local communities - both patients and health care professionalsCHIME has expertise and undertakes research within units for

clinical information management telemedicine and decision support clinical bioinformatics education training and professional development in health informatics educational resource development organisational development quality and governance of health care

It is supported by research grants from UK Research Councils (MRC EPSRC) The Wellcome Trust The Nuffield Trust The Department of Health and the European Union Framework Pro-gramme

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 16 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

5 Qualifications

51 Health Informatics

511 The Professional Awards in IMampT (Health)httpwwwconnectingforhealthnhsukdeliveryserviceimplementationmodernisationetd

informaticsawardssearchterm=etd+programme

This is the only standards or competence based award in HI

The Professional Awards are a suite of qualifications at four different levels of practice based on competence in health informatics NHS CfH assumed responsibility for the Professional Awards from NHSIA in April 2005 The Awards are managed by CfHrsquos ETD Programme

Subjects include

Certificate Diploma Advanced Diploma Strategic Management of IMampT

Intro to IMampT in HampC IMampT in HampC IM and IT in health care The strategic role of IMampT in the business of health care

Application of IMampT in HampC organisations

IampCT IampCT Environmental impact analysis in the context of IMampT and HC organisationsStrategic implementation of IMampT planning in HC organisations

IMampT in primary careTowards the electronic health record

Information strategy and the management of change

(not sure whether this is the equivalent) The role of strategic IMampT interventions in organisational development

Intro to electronic Information systems Information systems

- 17 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

communicationsAnalysing and presenting information

Information management

Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of IMampT strategies and operations within HC organisations

Drawing conclusions from clinical dataPersonal effectiveness at work

Personal Professional and Management Skills

IMampT consultancy and staff development in HC organisationsResearch project

It appears that the Awards are being phased out but Irsquom not sure what they are being replaced withA review into the future of the Awards was conducted in early 2006 and the following statement was published Statement on the future of the Professional Awards in IMampT (Health)

The statement says that the review confirmed NHS CfHrsquos commitment to continuing to work with learning providers The aim is to develop a scheme which takes forward the best elements of the Professional Awards CfH plans to implement a scheme in which courses that meet particular standards and operated within appropriate guidelines are recognised by NHS endorsement of ldquoquality markrdquo The Professional Awards will continue to be offered until the proposed developments are complete

(Note to Richard ndash At the HINOS NRG meeting I met Phil Mason from NHS CfH He is the leader of the Academic Partnership Project (According to the ETD Business Plan this project aims to establish partnerships with further and higher education establishments Royal Colleges and other providers of relevant CPD to ensure that the quality and content of modules courses and programmes in support of NpfIT implementation meets the expectations and requirements of the NHS in England) Phil started in this position in May 2006

Action Meet with Phil Mason to find out more

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

52 Computing Qualifications

521 The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) httpwwwecdlnhsuk

Promoted in the UK by the BCS and was adopted by the NHS in England as the reference standard for basic IT skillsManaged by NHS CfHTraining for ECDL is available through an online portal or at one of the approximately 500 accredited NHS learning centresThere are 7 modules of learning

1 Basic concepts of IT2 Using the computer and managing files3 Word processing4 Spreadsheets5 Databases6 Presentations7 Information and communication

- 18 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

522 British Computer SocietyInformation Systems Examination Board Qualifications

httpwwwbcsorgserverphpshow=nav001010002

The BCS is the industry body for ICT professionals It provides industry-recognised qualifications through the Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB)There are 3 levels of examination

Certificate (BCS Level 4 Certificate in IT) Diploma (BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT) Professional Graduate Diploma (BCS Level 6 Professional Graduate Diploma in IT)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

523 Microsoft qualifications httpwwwmicrosoftcomlearningitprodefaultmspx

Microsoft offers a six step certification programme1 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)2 Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)3 Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)4 Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)5 Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)6 Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

53 Information Management qualifications

531 MSc Official Statistics httpwwwsocstatssotonacukmoffstat This MSc programme was developed jointly by the University of Southampton with the Office of National Statistics to cover the core skills and knowledge needed by professional government stat-isticians working in the UK and in other countriesA hyperlink to the 20056 Handbook is here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 19 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

532 Royal Statistics Society Qualifications httpwwwrssorgukmainasppage=1793

The RSS administers a three level qualifications system for statistics

Royal Statistics Society Qualifications

1 Ordinary Certificate 2 Higher Certificate 3 Graduate DiplomaPitched between GCSE and A-level standard in the English school system

Most material is similar to what would be found in the first year of a typical university course in stat-istics

Standard equivalent to that of a good UK Honours Degree in Stat-istics

SubjectsCollection and Compilation of Data

Statistical Theory Statistical Theory and Methods I

Statistical Methods Statistical Theory and Methods IIAnalysis and Presentation of Data Statistical Applications and Prac-

ticeApplied Statistics I

Applied Statistics IIPlus OptionsStatistics for EconomicsEconometricsOperational ResearchMedical StatisticsBiometryStatistics for Industry and Quality Improvement

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

533 National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK) httpwwwconnectingforhealthnhsukclinicalcodingtrainingaccredaccreditationindex_html

Nationally recognised qualification for clinical coders

The basic National Clinical Coding Qualification (UK) has been developed based on national standards set and established by NHS Connecting for Health It has been developed in partnership with the Institute of Health Record Information and Management (IHRIM) as the awarding body and provider of the administrative support for the examination Candidates who pass both examination papers are awarded Accredited Clinical Coder (ACC) status by IHRIM

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 20 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

6 Skills Frameworksoccupational standards

61 Professional Skills for Government (PSG) httppsgcivilservicegovuk

PSG is a skills strategy for the whole of the Civil Service It is a major long-term programme designed to ensure that civil service staff have the right mix of skills and expertise to enable their department or agency to deliver effective services PSG is moving towards a Service where all staff will be expected to have the professional skills and experience needed to do their job well This process will give professional recognition to those skills and experiences of staff formerly thought of as ldquogeneralistsrdquo and ldquospecialistsrdquo Career development has been taken forward within three career groupings Operational Delivery Policy Delivery and Corporate Services Delivery People need to be able to demonstrate skills and expertise in four areas (leadership core skills job-related professional skills related to the work broader experience) at the appropriate level in relation to their job and chosen career path These will be tested at 3 key career gateways Entry to G7 to Senior Civil Service (SCS) Pay Band 1 and Pay Band 3 PSG covers a number of occupations including statistician Library and Information Professional Intelligence Analyst IT Professional etcThe website has a nice interactive tool for searching on skills

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

62 NHS Leadership Qualities Framework httpwwwnhsleadershipqualitiesnhsuk

This is the leadership framework for the NHS that sets the standard for outstanding leadership in the NHSThe website states it is evidence based being grounded in research with 150 NHS Chief Execut-ives and Directors of all disciplines The framework is administered by NHS Institute How does this fit with the KSF

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

63 NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) httpwwwnhsemployersorgpay-conditionspay-conditions-782cfm

The KSF defines and describes the knowledge and skills which NHS staff need to apply in their work in order to deliver quality services It provides a single consistent comprehensive and explicit framework on which to base review and development for all staff It lies at the heart of the career and pay progression strand of Agenda for ChangeThe process has been developed in partnership between management and staff side representat-ives This partnership approach is intended to continue as the NHS KSF is used in development review with managers working with individual members of staff to plan their training and develop-ment and review their workto support trusts through the implementation periodAn online tool the e-KSF has been developed in which to develop maintain and record NHS KSF post outlines personal development review activity and progress on personal development plans The e-KSF also holds the National Library of Post Outlines

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 21 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

64 Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) httpwwwsfiaorguk

Administered by the SFIA Foundation incorporated in July 2003The foundation consists of four members each of whom have nominated a Director on to the Foundationrsquos Board Those organisations and their nominated Directors are as follows

The Foundation works to further develop SFIA and encourage and support its use within organisa-tions using information systems

Features of the SFIA It provides a common reference model for the identification of the skills needed to develop

effective Information Systems (IS) making use of Information amp Communications Techno-logy (ICT)

It enables employers of IT professionals to carry out a range of HR activities against a com-mon framework of reference - including skill audit planning future skill requirements devel-opment programmes standardisation of job titles and functions and resource allocation

The SFIA Foundation coordinates activities to facilitate the availability and implementation of SFIA throughout the UK and beyond

The skills relate both to the e-skills UK National Occupational Standards and to the BCSrsquos SFIAplus which incorporates its Industry Structure Model

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

65 GSS Statistician Competence Framework httpwwwstatisticsgovukabout_nscopdownloadsprofessionalcompetencepdf

The framework aims to improve consistency of approach across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) It will allow managers to set the requirements of a post in a GSS context and to judge when people are suitable to meet these requirements It provides guidance to individuals and their managers about how they should develop and provides a basis for managers to gauge overall statistical capacity especially in a planning context

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

66 Health Informatics National Occupational Standards (HINOS) httpwwwhinosorguk

HINOS are the accredited (by Skills for Health) occupational standards for Health InformaticsTheir development was guided by the UK-wide National Reference Group (for HINOS) and sponsored by The IC and SfHThe HINOS underpin the NHS KSF and are incorporated into a database of national occupational standards and workforce competencies managed by SfH They were updated in 2006 the changes are still to be ratified by SfH

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 Researchpublications

- 22 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

71 Making Information Count A Human Resources Strategy for Health Informatics Professionals httpwwwdhgovukassetRoot0407308404073084pdf

DHNHS strategy document for the HI profession published in 2002The strategy identified three key issuesproblems

1 Workforce demographics ndash capacity2 Education Training and Development ndash capability3 recruitment and retention ndash staff moraleand developed a suggested framework to address the issues and implement a solution

Currently undergoing a ldquorefreshrdquo led by NHS CfH

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

72 NHS Informatics Workforce Survey httpwwwbcsorguploadpdffinalreport_20061120102537pdf

The survey was commissioned by ASSIST and carried out by TRIBAL Secta

The survey was designed as an interim basis for formal workforce planning for HI staff

Key findings The NHS informatics workforce (excluding contractors) in England is estimated at 25000

whole time equivalents comprising1048707 Senior Managers 71048707 Health Records staff 261048707 Knowledge Management staff 91048707 ICT staff 371048707 Information Management staff 181048707 Clinical Informatics staff 3

The impression is of an embattled group of staff with low morale who feel undervalued and unable to control their own destiny in the face of the fundamental changes taking place in the NHS

There are significant problems with recruitment in ICT Services and Information Management Uncompetitive rates of pay are the main reason for this

Agenda for Change (AfC) has been contentious in many areas Significant numbers of appeals are being lodged in all categories notably in ICT Services Health Records staff and Senior Managers The use of national recruitment and retention premia would offset the general feel-ing of being under-valued The risks to recruitment retention and morale could also be mitig-ated by a drive for greater consistency in the Job Evaluation process by reviewing the basis of the implementation of AfC including the National Occupational Standards and the Knowledge and Skills Framework and by ensuring a better understanding of informatics roles amongst those charged with local implementation

Future skills shortages are expected in ProjectProgramme Management Information Analysis and ICT and System Trainers Robust workforce planning measures spanning public and private sectors will be needed to ensure that sufficient skilled staff are available to meet cur-rent and future demands This planning should be informed by regular workforce surveys man-dated by DH Action should also be taken better to anticipate the impact of policy develop-ments on workforce capacity and capabilities

There is strong support for establishing a formal health informatics profession Frontline care and the delivery of key national policy objectives depend increasingly on ICT and other inform-atics professionals These staff ndash whether or not employed directly by the NHS - will need to

- 23 -

______________________________________________________________________________________

meet explicit technical and ethical professional standards The status and regulation of the emerging informatics profession will need to reflect its increasing importance to the NHS

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

73 Health Informatics Qualifications Mapping httpwwwicnhsukinformaticshinosIntroqualifsfile

A consultant Martin Christie produced a report for the IC Health Informatics Qualifications Mapping that aims to establish how well the HI sector and each of the six occupational groups within that sector is served by existing qualifications

Martin also developed an on-line qualifications finder tool that allows the user to search for qualifications by level of qualification and geographical region of provider

Martin attempted to estimate numbers of people currently studying for a post-graduate degree in HI and noted that it was difficult He found that According to numbers provided by universities there are somewhere in the region of 250-300

students enrolling on such courses per year Most entrants to courses are currently employed by the NHS Bath University with 60 recruits and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) with 80-90

account for over half of the students on these courses Six universities have between 10 and 30 recruits The others have less than 10 with two universities recruiting only 2 or 3 students a year Some universities struggle to recruit to HI courses One university (Portsmouth) has suspended

its course Lack of students is sometimes accounted for by a lack of commitment to and pro-motion of HI by the local Workforce Development Directorate within SHAs

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 24 -

Training and Accreditation

313 BCS Health Informatics Professional Development Board


1 Leadership ldquoStriving for Excellence - Personal Leadership and Service Transformationrdquo


