A report [1] commissioned by NHS England, with the support of FOM, on the value of accredited specialists in the service has concluded that widespread reform is needed.
Dr Shriti Pattani, Specialist Clinical Advisor NHSE/I and joint lead on the report alongside Dr Vaughan Parsons, believes the Covid-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to showcase the skills and attributes of accredited specialists working in the NHS.
“As the NHS responds to the challenges of the pandemic,” said Dr Pattani, “it is timely to be able to publish evidence of the contribution that accredited specialists in occupational medicine can make to the NHS.”
The report makes two key recommendations:
- Using the skills of the accredited specialist at a strategic level across the 42 newly-formed integrated care systems (ICS) across England to provide consistent, high quality OH provision across the NHS.
- Creating a National Chief Medical officer role sitting at the NHSE/I level to co-ordinate the work across the ICSs and provide national leadership for the biggest employer in the UK as supported by the Growing OH programme run by NHSE/I.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Dr Pattani said: “The report clearly shows that it is time for widespread strategic and operational reform to the deployment of in-house NHS accredited specialists in occupational medicine in England.
“I want to thank the working group members and those who contributed their valuable feedback to this important piece of work.”
READ REPORT [1]