Designing and redesigning existing and new roles
Promoting role redesign using the standards and guidance for role redesign in the NHS in Wales
This programme supports the modernisation of the NHS Wales workforce by promoting the use of the established standards for role redesign and encouraging the development of new workforce solutions for areas of staffing under pressure.
In turn, the work compliments and supplements the development sites for the flexible and sustainable workforce, workforce planning and service improvement.
Role redesign is relevant when there is a need to:
- improve patient experience
- tackle areas of pressure or staff shortage
- extend opportunities for staff development
- deepen and broaden existing roles
- optimise efficient working
- make the most of human resources including staff time
- assist in moving barriers to service change
- bridge gaps between services and sectors
- provide career opportunities.
The Workforce Education and Development Services (WEDS) produced eight standards for role redesign in the NHS in Wales and these standards have been endorsed by Health Inspectorate Wales.
Physician associate governance framework
The physician associate is trained in the medical model and works under the supervision of a doctor. They are currently an unregulated workforce, however, there is a voluntary register on which they can be included when qualified.
Physician associates can work in almost every area of healthcare including primary care, secondary, and tertiary care.