Section 6.1 Training and support: Introduction

Developing training and support packages for all concerned is essential for the successful implementation of information prescriptions. Even if you employ the most basic IP system, you'll still want to put in place measures to make sure people are taken through the IP process from start to finish. 

Can you get support for integrating IP skills into the induction, professional development, appraisal and professional audit processes of all relevant staff? For example could a module on IP be included in nurses' training portfolio?

In the pilot sites, training ranged from the provision of very basic introductions to IP processes, through to more substantial training seeking to help professionals provide information to users and carers with disadvantages, or with significant additional support needs.

We start this section with some 'hot tips', based on the learning from the pilot sites. Then we look at IP core competences so you can see the range of skills for which training and support may be needed.  Two pages of case study examples show how different pilot sites approached some of the training issues they faced. We have related these to the 'hot tips'.

NHS Employers has been commissioned by the Department of Health to work closely with key organisations to identify the further support needed by the NHS and Social Care to enable them to address the workforce implications of information prescriptions and the Information Accreditation Scheme.   As a direct result of this work, an e-learning module and self-assessment tool have been developed. The e-learning module helps professionals develop skills in identifying and meeting patients' information needs. The self-assessment tool helps organisations consider whether they have the right processes in place to offer Information Prescriptions. For further details, please visit www.nhsemployers.org/informationprescriptions.

Finally, we have included a page on training resources. Although these are currently limited to the health field, we intend to widen this to include more general training resources for people who are not working directly in the NHS.

On the next page: Hot tips for training and support