General Practice and Human Resources …….a marriage made in Heaven? Dr Christina Kenny GP and Director of Clinical Governance Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust

Milton Keynes PCT 230,000 registered population 30 practices 128 GPs Joint services with the Council - Mental Health, Older People, Learning Disability, Childrens Services, Community Services, Family Planning

What did we do? Explored how practices and the Human Resources (HR) department could work more closely together

Why did we do it? ……….. Because we share the same corridor

PCT Clinical Governance Directorate

Objectives Practice Managers (PMs) and HR Manager would have an opportunity to establish a relationship PMs would have an opportunity to consider what support the HR department could offer practices

Objectives PMs and the HR department could identify areas for education and training The HR department would be better placed to plan future HR developments which supported both the managed services and the practices

Method PM identified Questionnaire Letter from Clinical Governance Lead (a GP) Personal practice visits arranged Report compiled for the practice

Questionnaire Devised from the 4 pillars of HR Employee Resourcing Employee Development Reward Employee Relations Health and Safety Improving Working Lives PCT Policies and Procedures

Result 15 (50%) of practices participated Patient population covered 160,000

Findings Practices welcomed the support of the PCT Practices demonstrated a commitment of working towards staff management and conditions which adhered to health service wide standards Strict adherence to structured approach varied A variety of Education and Training needs and support requirements emerged

Findings

Actions Quarterly employment Law newsletter Individual practice support - employment law - grievance - disciplinary Trust HR policies on intranet PMs ed alert when new policy posted Support to practices to develop own policies

Actions Education and Training workshops - employment contract - employee rights - equal opportunities - disciplinary process management - managing sickness absence - recruitment - handling grievances - over 4 days - toolkit

Actions Protected Time workshops 10 sessions throughout the year Variety of training opportunities

Actions Occupational Health Services Health and Safety training Health and Safety audits

Actions - Locum GP service - PCT HR Department advertise staff vacancies - across the Trust - local media - PCT umbrella organisation for police checks (Criminal Records Bureau)

Actions - PCT Finance Manager advice on development of pay systems - PCT policy on staff appraisal sent to all practices - Summary version of key policies developed by practices with support from the HR Department - ICAS - 24 hour personal support line or face-to-face support

Summary HR practice is a good way for PCTs and Practices to link There is common interest in this area The new GMS Contract (if accepted) will focus practices on these skills and on Practice Manager development

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