With the health and social care system under relentless pressure, politicians, policy makers and commentators often gravitate towards simple narratives about solutions to the problems the NHS is facing. This online event series will examine some of the commonly held assumptions behind the solutions that are proposed for the NHS and test whether they are right. Each event will look at a particular area where there is a particular danger of groupthink and get a second opinion on whether the received wisdom is really correct. Sometimes, the answer is more complicated than we want to believe.

The first event in the series on 19th January, will look at skills within the NHS.

Does the rush for a new type of NHS staff have a dark side?

Changes in the way staff work, including staff taking on new roles and responsibilities – is a well-known policy solution in the NHS, and there are some really good instances where skill mix works well and has real benefits. But are there downsides to the drive to employ new types of staff to help doctors` and nurses? What are the implications for continuity of care, staff experience and outcomes? Is the idea of ‘top of the licence’ working a reason for concern in terms of burnout, the fragmentation of care or is it an unavoidable response to the workforce crisis?

Confirmed speakers:

Chair: Nigel Edwards, Nuffield Trust

Prof Alison Leary, London South Bank University

Dr Louella Vaughan, Nuffield Trust

Join this new online event series to engage in challenging debate and get a second opinion on whether some of the fundamental assumptions in modern health policy really bear scrutiny.

Visit our website for more information on the series.

Does the rush for new types of NHS staff have a dark side?