NPfIT to offer NHS staff temporary roles within LSPs

“The roles will be of interest to a range of NHS staff with an interest in how IT can benefit the delivery of better patient care,” a spokesperson for NPfIT told E-Health Insider. “The roles will be of wider interest than just for those who are technically minded."

For example, the NHS temps could work with LSPs to devise training materials, and advise and assist in delivering them across their respective cluster. General technical roles will also form many of the positions on offer.

“The SAS is a national scheme,” say the NPfIT, “which at the same time will reflect local needs and different ways of working."

NPfIT believes that the scheme will benefit the LSPs by giving them access to NHS experience and knowledge, as well as affording them “flexible resource requirements”. It says the NHS will benefit from a strengthened relationship with the suppliers and staff who return with new skills, and individual employees will be able to gain experience in the private sector as well as “help influence the implementation" of NPfIT.

Each position is planned to last around three to 12 months, and NHS staff will continue to report to their existing employer throughout the period. NPfIT emphasises that the placements are not secondments. “The attachment is a temporary arrangement and individuals will resume their normal role once their attachment comes to an end," said a spokesperson.

“Once all the roles and areas required have been identified, the National Programme plans to publicise roles to the website.  In addition, HR departments in local organisations will have details of the attachments where appropriate."

More information is available on the SAS pages on the NPfIT website. Anybody interested in joining the scheme should e-mail sas@npfit.nhs.uk.