We have a constant focus on our people so that we can find better ways of working across our FTs. A shared goal is to use fewer agency staff and make sure we work in the most effective ways.
This helps patients get better care and gives staff a better experience. It also means we make the best use of the resources we have across our services. Our providers have worked to share ideas, make things more consistent, and solve staffing problems. Our aim is to build a workforce that can adapt to meet patient needs both now and in the future.
Reducing sickness absence
We now have a shared approach to reduce sickness absence across the system. This focuses on the main causes of absence. These are mental health and muscle and joint problems. It has helped improve staff wellbeing and make the workforce more stable.
Developing shared bank services
We have made progress towards a more joined-up approach to bank staffing. This supports our shared goal to reduce the use of agency staff. This will help save money while giving staff more choice and flexibility. We are also looking at a shared model to recruit staff.
Supporting staff wellbeing
A Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub for staff is in place. This gives a consistent offer of support on top of what FTs are doing to help staff stay well. Work has also started to create a shared occupational health service. This will support early help and help staff return to work sooner.
Driving consistency and fairness
Joint work on nursing job evaluation has started across our FTs. This will help make roles and pay more consistent across providers. It means staff will know what to expect wherever they work in the region. This will help keep the workforce stable.
Improving workforce planning
We are working across our FTs on joint workforce planning. This includes how we use data and digital tools, to help manage staff. This helps make the best use of staff, improves the way services work, and makes sure there are enough staff to provide safe care.
This year, we supported staff facing changes due to restructures in the system. A regional redeployment hub was set up to keep skilled staff in the NHS. The aim was to:
- support staff at risk of redundancy.
- fill jobs faster.
- use fair and clear processes.
Following a trial, we agreed on shared rules. This helped FTs and the ICB to be consistent.
In a region as diverse and collaborative as the North East and North Cumbria, the ability to mobilise NHS staff quickly and efficiently across Foundation Trusts is vital. That’s where the Portability Agreement comes in.
Agreed by all 11 NENC NHS Foundation Trusts in 2023, the Portability Agreement enables substantive staff to temporarily work in another Trust without the delays of traditional recruitment processes. It ensures that all necessary checks and training are already in place, allowing staff to be onboarded in days rather than weeks.
Whether it’s a consultant stepping in to reduce waiting lists or a paramedic supporting a neighbouring team, the Agreement is helping Trusts respond to workforce pressures, improve patient care and strengthen regional collaboration.
This FAQ document outlines how the Agreement works, who can use it, and the benefits it brings. It also includes a powerful case study from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
