1. Heather Donald & Brittany Forbes June 2016
Completion of Flying Start and Learning on Practice – the benefits of an innovate group support model
Heather Donald & Brittany Forbes
June 2016

2. Pressures of not having enough staff
Introduction
Pressures of not having enough staff
Pressures of recruitment of Band 5 graduates (5 in total across several Dietetic Departments)
Ensuring the new Band 5’s complete their Flying Start and receive appropriate mentorship
As like the majority of Health Boards, the pressure of staff shortages is always at the forefront of our practice whilst ensuring that these shortages do not affect patient care. NHS Grampian in 2015 was in the position to recruit 5 new band 5 dietitians who were under different managers and clinical areas, therefore the new band 5 dietitians were not hosted together within one clinical area.
During this time, Flying Start for new band 5 posts was made compulsory. Whilst it was very good news for all concerned to have 5 new members of staff – there was a slight concern within the dietetic departments for NHS Grampian about facilitating the band 5’s to complete their flying start.
The ideal for this is for each band 5 to have their own clinical mentor but NHS Grampian managers were concerned the impact that this would have on staff members considering some would be supervisor for the new staff and not necessarily have time to embrace all the components required to be a band 5 mentor.
One member of staff in the community dietetic department worked 0.5 wte with NHS Grampian and 0.5wte with RGU as a clinical mentor. I therefore became the mentor for the Flying start and organised the room and venue for monthly meetings so that the band 5’s could come to an area to take this forward.

3. What Did We Do?
Facilitated monthly sessions
At each sessions the band 5’s had an opportunity to discuss their Flying Start with each other and the mentor
In addition, half of the session was used for each Band 5 to do a presentation on an element of their work - CPD

4. The Mentors Perspective
Currently there is no Band 5 rotation for Dietitians
Advantages gained by presenting aspects of their day to day job to each other
Benefits of sharing their concerns and celebrations regarding completing their Flying Start with each other and the Mentor

5. The Band 5’s Perspective
Anxieties over the completion of the flying start
Good time management skills needed
Monthly get to get-togethers
And the good news – we have all completed our flying start!
I initially had anxieties over the amount of work required to complete flying start especially when you looked at the recommended time for each element and how this would be done while still learning about a new job and seeing patients on an increasing caseload.
In order to get all the elements/tasks done for flying start, good time management skills were required. I found it challenging to fit in the recommended 2-4 hours per week for flying start but I really tried to block off a few hours every few weeks to focus on the flying start tasks away from the busy office with distractions e.g. phone calls/patient discussions.
The monthly get-togethers provided an opportunity to share the difficulties we all felt about commencing flying start and to support one another through the challenges. It was helpful to realise the other band 5’s felt the same and therefore you did not feel isolated in completing flying start, which may have occurred if the monthly meetings were not arranged as we all work in different locations meaning some of us might not have met or got to know each other or learn from one another.

6. The Band 5’s Perspective
Lack of rotation
Expands knowledge of dietetic practice in areas not normally involved in
Up to date with service improvement and clinical recommendations
Areas discussed – child healthy weight, cardiovascular disease, coeliac disease, paediatric oncology plus other topics relating to the day to day role.
Currently, as mentioned, the band 5’s do not rotate in NHS G – however, we are aware that other dietetic posts in some areas do offer this and in NHS Grampian other AHPS rotate e.g. Physios
The monthly CPD sessions allowed us to come together to share experiences of our specialised areas thereby expanding everyones knowledge of dietetic practice in areas you may not normally be involved in.
It also ensures we were all kept up to date with service improvements and dietary recommendations.
For example, I discussed my involvement in the review and development of the community child healthy weight programme (Eat Play Grow Well) which involved updating the resources and information following the changes with the eatwell guide and sugar recommendations.
The acute based Dietitians presented on recently allocated wards/clinics such as cardiac rehab classes, coeliac disease and paediatric oncology.
The other community based Dietitian presented a case study and related this to her day to day role e.g. looking at domiciliary, care home and clinic case load as a band 5.

7. The Band 5’s Perspective
Peer learning to continue
The CPD sessions are organised between ourselves to ensure there are different speakers and topics at each meeting.
CPD sessions contributed as evidence towards eKSF year review.
Help and support for new band 5’s around completing their flying start
It has been decided by both management and band 5 staff that the monthly meetings will continue to ensure that our peer learning is ongoing
The CPD sessions are organised between ourselves to ensure there are different topics and speakers at each meeting
Whilst the CDP sessions have improved our interest and knowledge of dietetic practice in the different areas it has also contributed as evidence towards our eKSF year review.
Any new band 5 starting will also attend the group with help and support given from other band 5s around completing their flying start

8. Final Thoughts From The Mentor
Sessions did not allow for portfolio completion but did identify any problems
The CPD element I believe has been most important and has aided the Band 5’s to extend their knowledge in a wider range of dietetic practice in a innovative way
All the Band 5’s were motivated, well organised and professional. My role as a Flying Start Mentor for the first time very worthwhile and enjoyable.