It has become apparent for the need for some practical and assets based approaches to helping people turn their job role into meaningful engagement opportunities.  Many of our colleagues are required to engage, have tons of knowledge and theory but don’t have a lot of opportunity to put this into practice in a safe and supportive environment.  The UNI courses have been developed to provide just this opportunity.

Unique Improvements (UNI) and Primary Care Commissioning (PCC) have been reviewing the success of this year’s Introduction to Service User and Citizen Engagement and Involvement Course.  The course which is accredited by Teesside University and is a partnership between PCC and UNI, is only available through the PCC subscription process or via direct booking with PCC at their web page https://www.pccevents.co.uk

The course is free to PCT/CCG and Health Authority staff whose Regional Health Authorities subscribe to PCC.  Some practices will also qualify for free places so if in doubt contact Emily Walmsley at PCC who will conform eligibility.  Emily.walmsley@pcc.nhs.uk  Tel 0113 212 4182

So far since February 2012, 75 people have been trained in five different venues covering Leeds, Liverpool, London, Stratford and Nottingham and further dates are still available. 

South West – Taunton – 12 September and 10 October

South Central – Newbury – 11 October and 8^th November

East of England – Stansted – 15^th November and 13^th December

North – Leeds – 9^th January and 6^th February

North West – Liverpool – 13^th February and 13^th March

The course has evaluated extremely well with a 96% satisfaction rating overall.  100% of the learners stated that they would recommend this course to a colleague.

‘Excellent and informative.  I will definitely use this handbook it won’t sit on my shelf.  Thanks!’

‘Excellent day/ really enjoyable.  Very good presenters. Very professional’

‘Very informative, approachable tutors, wish we could have all your knowledge! Thank you’

‘Thank you for two very informative days’

 Project Manager Julie Grimmer and UNI Assistant Director Adrian Smith were presented with their award by the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley at a ceremony in Somerset House earlier this month.

 The Early Presentation of Cancer Symptoms Project involves working alongside 50 volunteers drawn from the local community to act as agents in helping people understand, talk about and seek help for cancer symptoms. This project is an innovative community-led model that combines social marketing, improvement methodology and community action. Outcomes have included significant increases in cancer two week wait referrals, bowel screening uptake and cervical screening uptake.

 For more information contact Adrian Smith on adrian@uni.uk.net. More information on the NHS Innovation Challenge Prize and other winners can be found here http://www.challengeprizes.institute.nhs.uk/

From Left to right, Sir Bruce Keogh Medical Director of the NHS, Julie Grimmer Project Manager NE Lincs, Adrian Smith Assistant Director Unique Improvements Jane Cummings Chief Nurse for the NHS, Andrew Lansley Secretary of State for Health

Salford has a well established and enviable partnership approach to health improvement which, over the last few years has embraced this and has forged a series of innovative multi – agency programmes.  The Behaviour Change Programme is the latest and promises to support an already committed and highly skilled workforce to improve the health and wellbeing of families, friends and communities in Salford. 

Uni is pleased to be involved at this early stage as part of the Behaviour Change Consortium which is delivering the brief interventions training programme.  The Behaviour Change Consortium consists of Unique Improvements, Social Marketing Gateway and JMP Consultants all experts in the fields of social marketing and behaviour change programmes.

There are still some bursary places on the Introduction to Commissioning, University accredited course, 12&13 October 2011.  The bursaries are open to general practice staff, cluster staff, PCT, Local Authority and 3^rd Sector staff and members of the public.

For further information on the bursaries and the taster courses contact Lauren Peterson 0151 486 6737 or lauren@uni.uk.net

Whilst extending congratulations to the team LEA PEARSON Managing Director of ISOQAR stated ‘As you are aware, our auditor did not raise any non-conformances on this audit.  This is a superb achievement on an initial audit and one of which you and your staff should be justifiably proud’.

The team at Uni is delighted to say the least!

This is truly recognition for the achievements of the Care Home Staff and residents of the six homes which participated in the project.  The shortlisted team will be interviewed on 20^th September in London and the winners announced at the awards ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane, London on the 2 November 2011. 

Unique Improvements is proud to have contributed to the success of the project and we wish them well.

Introduction to Commissioning

This course provides an overview of the Commissioning Cycle and its various elements with the opportunity to practice some commissioning skills. It is an ideal introduction for those looking to develop into commissioning roles within Clinical Commissioning Groups or for those wanting an overview of commissioning.

Improving Commissioning

This course provides an opportunity to explore the commissioning cycle in detail. It includes interactive sessions designed to reflect scenarios that will be found within the Clinical Commissioning Group workplace. The Improving Commissioning course will enable you to further develop your commissioning knowledge and skills and test them in a protected learning environment, the outcome being an enhanced set of transferable skills for the future.

The courses are accredited by Teesside University, University of the Year 2009/10.

For a full list of the Unique Improvements / Teesside University Accredited Courses can be found here: Commissioning Training

The Partnership includes:

Commissioning4health – An organisation offering clinical and non clinical commissioning training and specialised support for both the NHS and pharmaceutical industry;

The LLMC - The University of Lincoln’s resource centre for leadership and management education.

Having already established and delivered an NHS commissioning MSc for Lincoln and Hull PCTs, the LLMC has the experience and expertise to support clinical and non clinical post graduates in obtaining the MSc in Commissioning across the UK.

Unique Improvements – A social enterprise established in 2005 who work closely with Local Authorities, Clinical and non clinical commissioners and third sector organisations.

As the only UK organisation that has university accredited commissioning courses to level 6/degree, and with a range of skills development courses and qualifications available, linked to commissioning and designed to suit the needs of the client

MAON - A leading change management company;

Professor David Head Dean at the Faculty of Business and Law, University of Lincoln said:

“The LLMC as part of the University of Lincoln is pleased to be part of this exciting venture.

It offers bespoke training and development packages that support those delivering change in the NHS and Local Government.

“The campus will offer one of the widest range of commissioning skills courses and qualifications in the UK; including the only MSc in Commissioning designed specifically for Clinical Commissioners”.

Linda Henry, Director of Unique Improvements, said

“Unique Improvements are pleased to be associated with the Commissioning Campus.  The campus represents a ‘one stop shop’ for commissioning skills development at a time when the NHS is undergoing significant change.  The campus’s offer ensures existing and emerging commissioning professionals can gain easy access to the highest quality training and education”.

Huw England, Director and Owner of Commissioning4health, said

“Commissioning4health are delighted to be part of the commissioning campus, with its breadth of commissioning skills and qualification courses, we will in partnership be able to offer clinical and non clinical staff a wide range of choices to support their development and their organisations in the future”.

Mark Axler, Director of MAON, said

As well as MSc, degree and A Level courses, the campus offers approved CPD courses in Commissioning designed for:

• PCTs and Clinical Commissioning Groups
• The Community and Voluntary Sector
• Local Authorities and Districts
• Health Providers
• The Pharmaceutical Industry

Find out more about the campus, by visiting www.commissioning4health.com/campus

The Institute of Commissioning Professionals highlighted that many commissioners commented about the lack of support and training in Commissioning when they took up their posts and therefore have had to learn on the job. Recent comments from the Parliamentary Health Committee have reinforced the need to improve standards of commissioning. A view to which many of the Institute of Commissioning Professionals members subscribe.

In order to help define the role and provide a foundation for qualifications, a series of National Occupational Standards have been developed, and the Institute have partnered with Unique Improvements to provide their members with high quality university accredited courses which can lead to either individual qualifications or count towards a university degree.

More information about our partnership and the courses can be found at http://www.iocp.co.uk/courses.php