Updates: ‘Vanguard’ Sites / Dementia Care Skills Framework / Public – Patient Participation / Skills for Public Health / New Autism Guides

1. New care models – vanguard sites

In January 2015, the NHS invited individual organisations and partnerships to apply to become ‘vanguard’ sites for the new care models programme, one of the first steps towards delivering the Five Year Forward View and supporting improvement and integration of services.

In March, the first 29 vanguard sites were chosen. There were three vanguard types – integrated primary and acute care systems; enhanced health in care homes; and, multispecialty community provider vanguards.

In July, 8 urgent and emergency vanguards were announced.

In September a further 13 vanguards were announced – known as acute care collaborations, they aim to link local hospitals together to improve their clinical and financial viability.

The 50 vanguards were selected following a rigorous process, involving workshops and the engagement of key partners and patient representative groups.

Each vanguard site will take a lead on the development of new care models which will act as the blueprints for the NHS moving forward and the inspiration to the rest of the health and care system.

Download - New care models: Vanguards – developing a blueprint for the future of NHS and care services

2. New Core Skills Education and Training Framework supports high quality dementia care

This new framework has been developed by Skills for Health and Health Education England in partnership with Skills for Care. It is a comprehensive new resource to support health professionals and educators working with people living with dementia and sets out the essential skills and knowledge necessary for all staff involved in dementia care. More information can be found on the Skills for Health website.

3. People Powered Health: Strengthening Patient and Public Participation in the work of the NHS

NHS England has published a new Patient and Public Participation Policy and Statement of Arrangements. The policy sets out its ambition to ensure that people are at the heart of everything it does. Over the next year, NHS England will review how well the policy and arrangements are working in practice. For more information, visit their website, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 0113 825086.

4. Skills for Public Health

Public Health England have launched a review of the skills and capacity that the public health system will need in the future. The consultation is an opportunity to highlight the role of the VCS in promoting effective ways to improve public health. A series of invitation-only regional events are being held in January. The consultation can be found at https://surveys.phe.org.uk/PHWorkforceReview.

5. New Autism Guides

Skills for Health, in partnership with Skills for Care, have launched three new guides aimed at helping to support adults and children on the autism spectrum. The guides have been developed to help health and social care workers better meet the needs of people who have autism. For more information, go to the Skills for Health website.