The English health service is set to benefit from a further £100m annual investment in skills, thanks to a new three-year deal.

Skills for Health – the sector skills council for the public, private and voluntary healthcare sectors – has signed a new multi-million pound Joint Investment Framework involving Strategic Health Authorities and the Learning and Skills Council.

Over time, the deal will see up to £100m of additional funds being delivered annually into the health service in England to tackle skills gaps and shortages.

Funding will focus on healthcare staff working in Bands 1 to 4; funding apprenticeships, Skills for Life, and other skills development and qualifications at Levels 2, 3 and 4.

Part of the Sector Skills Agreement for Health, the framework represents comes in response to recommendations made in Lord Leitch's skills review last December.

Commenting on the agreement, Ann Keen, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health said: “This agreement shows we value the health workforce and is evidence of our commitment to their training and development. For those working in the healthcare sector it will mean increased opportunities and better prospects; for employers, it will ensure a higher skilled, more flexible workforce; and for patients, it will result in improved levels of service and care".

Cynthia Bower, Chief Executive of West Midlands Strategic Health Authority felt that the funding has the right focus. She said: “This is a significant additional investment in the skills of staff in bands 1-4 who traditionally have had fewer opportunities to develop their skills. This partnership offers an exciting way forward and will make a real difference to the quality of care we provide for all our patients.”