Today sees the launch of an exciting new free online networking site specifically designed for the UK’s healthcare workforce.
My Health Skills, the first tool of its type for healthcare employees, aims to encourage those who are passionate about transformation, learning and skills in the sector to network, share best practice, expertise and resources.
Co-invested and supported by The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and Skills for Health (SfH), the new online system will offer members a platform to voice opinion, access relevant information, build capability and seek advice from fellow colleagues within the healthcare sector.
With the renewed national focus on the importance of training and development in healthcare following the launch of the Cavendish (July 2013) and the Francis (February 2013) Reports, the My Health Skills site aims to support employees and foster learning and development, as well as embracing the ethos of shared proficiency and expertise.
Robert Standfield Employer Reference Group Chair and Head of Education, St Richard’s Hospice comments; “My Health Skills is a network that belongs to its members. Healthcare professionals with a common interest can share best practice, knowledge and experience in an online environment designed to support learning and workforce transformation.
We are fortunate to have an enthusiastic workforce with a thirst for knowledge and information. My Health Skills is an environment within which multi-disciplinary teams can share intelligence helping to develop and nurture healthcare employees for the future.”
The site currently has four specific pilot groups which help to channel users into relevant health arenas; Dementia Skills Network, Apprenticeships Skills Network and Roles Redesign. To help kick-start the platform, each sub-group is being spearheaded by an experienced project champion, to drive news, content and users. As the platform grows, more fields will be added and developed, My Health Skills aims to appeal to and bridge the gap with a diverse membership including; nurses, support staff, consultants, volunteers, academics, charities patents, carers and students. It encourages its membership to ‘Join a Group, start a group, make a change’ and offers;
- Free membership to a health sector specific networking platform
- A place to share Best Practice in healthcare workforce transformation
- Links to subject related blogs and online resources
- A place to seek advice, give advice, engage and start thought provoking conversations
- Access to subject related webinars
- ‘How to Guides’ and ‘Blogs’ to support members with their workforce transformation
Sally- Ann Marciano, Project Lead for Dementia Skills Network commented; “My Health Skills allows its members to join a community of supportive and like-minded healthcare professionals. Within the field of dementia, members can join and debate issues, as well as see how other organisations have benefited from an apprenticeship programme. Forging closer links and sharing expertise across the sector is going to be a critical success factor for the industry moving forward.
Sharon Ensor, Project Lead, My Health Skills also said; “My Health Skills helps members to access best practice from all corners of the UK health service in real time. The pilot period demonstrated that there is an appetite for this peer to peer approach to problem solving.”
For more information visit: myhealthskills.com or follow the network on twitter @myhealthskills
