There are major challenges ahead for the UK’s Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). One fundamental challenge is around the people issues and whether organisations have the internal infrastructures and the right people in the right places to deliver the change agenda that is being demanded of them.

In 2007, the Department of Health’s new Director General of Workforce, Clare Chapman, admitted she thought many of the Human Resource challenges facing the NHS should have been dealt with years ago. Twelve months later, and after a critical House of Commons Health Select Committee report on the failure of workforce planning in the NHS, the onus has been placed on commissioners and SHAs.

The new operating framework means that PCTs have responsibility for local workforce planning but all organisations need to have not only workforce planning but talent management and performance management at the top of their agendas.

In order for SHAs and PCTs to achieve government targets as well as meeting the needs of patients and employees, Chief Executives and appointment boards need to feel confident that they have the opportunity to interview and hire the highest calibre candidates. They need to feel confident that they have a direct route to these individuals through a recruitment partner that can add value to their process and provide relevant and up to date market information.

Digby Morgan has a strong heritage and reputation in the public and health sectors having worked, over the last few years, with the likes of the: British Transport Police; British Council; Borders Agency; several local authorities; Cambridge University; DEFRA; HM Prison Service; Home Office; Homerton Hospital; Learning & Skills Council; Medical Research Council; NHS; and TfL.

As you will have read elsewhere in this newsletter, in order to exploit the HR recruitment opportunities in the public sector still further, Digby Morgan has made a couple of senior and strategic appointments in its Commerce and Public Sector teams. Bringing more than 15 years of recruitment experience with her, Kate Mulhall has joined the company from Hays Executive where she spent the last four years focused on executive search assignments for senior HR professionals in the public sector. Prior to joining Hays, Kate spent the previous decade with Michael Page where, latterly, she managed the strategy and consultancy team focused on change and organisational development professionals. If you’d like to discuss opportunities in the health or wider public sectors, please contact Kate at katemulhall@digby-morgan.com

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