| Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been awarded Practice Plus accreditation, the third level of the IWL initiative, in the national Improving Working Lives programme.
The Improving Working Lives programme, set up by the Department of Health, ensures everyone working in the NHS can enjoy a good healthy balance between their work and personal life.
Achieving the latest IWL Practice Plus award means Sedgefield PCI has demonstrated, through effective partnership working and through staff involvement, that the working Sives of staff across all groups within the Primary Care Trust have improved.
The PCT went through a rigourous process that included the production of a self assessment report, followed by a visit from an external team of peers from different roles within the NHS, to validate the accuracy of the self assessment report. With over 480 staff in the PCT, the team met with a cross section of staff in focus groups and one to one interviews. Through these sessions the validation team was able to confirm that the PCT satisfied all the criteria to gain the Practice Plus Award. Practice Plus accreditation is awarded to NHS organisations which have achieved a high standard in seven key areas which include:
• Flexible retirement
• Childcare and support for carers
• Healthy workplace
• Staff involvement and communication
• Human resource strategy and management
• Flexible working
• Training and development
• Equality and diversity. The PCI' has introduced a range of flexible working options whereby staff can job share, work part time, work around school hours and holidays, take time off at regular intervals and take career breaks. Nigel Porter, Chief Executive for Sedgefield PCT, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Sedgefield Primary Care Trust has been awarded Practice Plus Status. This is a really positive step for all staff at the PCT. "This award acknowledges that we have achieved a very high standard when it comes to looking after the needs of our staff and that the hard work given by every member of our workforce has been rewarded. It also acknowledges that through Improving Working Lives, the PCT has strived to recognise that all our staff are valued."
SEDGEFIELD PCT HOLDS MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT)
will be holding its next board meeting at 1:30 pm on Thursday 12 January 2006. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom at Sedgefield PCT. Merrington House, Merrington Lane, Spennymoor and is open to all members of the public. Members of the press are also invited to attend the meeting.
Primary Care is the health care that you receive in the community, from your local GP surgery, at a clinic or health centre, or in your own home.
Primary Care Trusts are free-standing, legally-established, statutory NHS bodies which bring together GPs, nurses and other local stakeholders, such as Social Services and local councils, and give them a lead role in planning, providing and developing high quality health services for local people.
Some of the agenda items to be discussed are:
• Local Delivery Plan 2005-2008| Progress Report ;
• Update on the Financial Position of the Out of Hours Service
• Healthcare Commission Tobacco Control Improvement Review
• Proposals for a County Durham and Darlington PCTR Commissioning Board
• Commissioning a patient-led NHS:
Consultation Strategy For further information, or to receive a full copy of the meeting's agenda, please contact Pat Lawtor, Communications Assistant OB 0191 333 3003.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DOING THIS COURSE?
VENUE: TRIMDON GRANGE COMMUNITY CENTRE
Creche Provision Courses with the Worker's Education Association "Strengthening Communities Through Learning Together"
The WEA deliver a NCFE level 2 Certificate on Developing Skills for Early Years Practice (Creche Work/Playgroup Work). The course is of 80 hours in duration working with a tutor with 40 hours placement.
On the course you will learn how to:
• Contribute to maintaining a safe environment for children aged nought to eight years.
• Contribute to the provision of equal opportunities for children aged nought to eight years.
• Provide appropriate play activities for children aged nought to eight
years.
And also choose a further two areas of learning:
• Working with babies in a creche.
• Use play skills in a creche.
Or
• Work with young children in a pre-school playgroup.
• Support the work of the pre-school playgroup within the community.
The course is supplemented with the St John Ambulance Early Years First Aid and a Food Hygiene course to ensure that you have the necessary qualifications a potential employer would be seeking in a creche worker.
IF THE ANSWER IS YES PLEASE CONTACT: MARGARET GlRVAN on:
01429 882 241 or email margaretgirvan@edpcn.com.
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