On the 31 March 2021, we held our national SPF conference which focused on positive partnership working during the pandemic. This was the first partnership conference of its type bringing together the regional SPFs from around the country. Read our summary of the day.

Read the March edition of the bulletin, which includes information on the upcoming SPF partnership conference, and the launch of the 2021 HPMA awards.

Read full key comms from the February meeting of the SPF Wider Group, which featured a discussion on the white paper/health and social care bill published 11 February, update on progress of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, and a presentation from Yeovil District Hospital NHS FT.

The SPF is proud to sponsor the 2021 HPMA Excellence in HRM award for partnership working between employers and trade unions. Entries are now open for the SPF award for partnership working between employers and trade unions.

This February 2021 bulletin includes a toolkit promoting a culture of civility and respect, a National Guardian's Office e-learning package, and information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Bookings are now open for our virtual event: Positive partnership working through COVID & beyond. This is the first Social Partnership Forum (SPF) conference that brings together the national, regional, and local partnership forums, with workforce leaders, employers and trade unions to celebrate partnership working, share learning and celebrate good practice from the NHS and social care response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The January 2021 edition of the bulletin features the violence reduction standard, resources to help workforce leaders in the pandemic, and updates from National SPF meetings.

NHS England and NHS Improvement has published the first national Violence Prevention and Reduction Standard for NHS organisations, developed in partnership with the Social Partnership Forum, delivering a framework that supports a safe and secure working environment for NHS staff, safeguarding them against abuse, aggression and violence.

Read key comms from the 2 December Wider Group meeting, which featured discussions on the COVID-19 vaccination programme, a regional case study from the North East SPF, and information on the NHSEI equality, diversity and inclusion programme.

Read the November edition of the SPF bulletin, featuring information on the HPMA conference in December, more resources to help with the winter flu vaccine campaign, and your chance to give your feedback on our communication channels.

Read key comms from the 4 November Wider Group meeting, featuring updates on work around protecting BAME staff during the pandemic, HPMA award winners North Bristol Foundation Trust giving a presentation on their Red Card to Racism project, and information on phase 3 of the NHS response to the pandemic.

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The October bulletin features a wrap up of this year's HPMA awards, guidance on the NHS COVID-19 App, and highlights the National Guardian's Speak Up Month.

At this meeting of the Wider Group, partners discussed legislation to support the implementation of the Long Term Plan, received an update on national work to protect BME staff during the pandemic, and Somerset NHS FT spoke on work being done in their region to support and protect BMA staff.

Read the latest news from the HPMA Awards 2020 and take a look at our winner and finalist case studies.

The September edition of the SPF bulletin features a new report from the Health & Care Women Leaders Network, resources to support delivery of this winter's flu vaccination programme, and updates from SPF meetings from the last month.

The August edition of the SPF bulletin includes our response to the NHS People Plan, plans for the winter flu programme and a call for ideas around reducing bureaucracy in health and social care.

In this meeting of the SPF Wider Group, partners received the headlines from the NHS People Plan, an update on the NHSEI work programme to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BME staff, and heard the latest on the COVID-19 test and trace app.

Read the SPF response to the People Plan, published 30 July.

The latest SPF bulletin includes an update from the Violence Reduction Subgroup, resources to support staff health and wellbeing and an infographic showcasing SPF achievements over the last year.

Read the South West regional SPF joint statement to support those returning to work after shielding, encouraging a supportive approach to returning colleagues.

This 1 July Wider Group featured updates on the NHSEI work programme addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME staff, the test and trace programme, and PPE strategy.

Take a look at the National SPF infographic showcasing our key acheivements from the last year.

The national SPF statement has been revised to the reflect the gradual return to more normal ways of working in the NHS. Read the statement for more infomration.

This second June edition of the SPF bulletin features an updated industrial relations statement, a podcast on award winning partnership working from Hillingdon, as well as information on recent meetings and resources to help during the pandemic.

The 17 June meeting of the SPF Wider Group enabled partners to engage with leaders working on Test and Trace programme, the supply of PPE and protecting BAME staff.

At this Wider Group meeting, the group discussed restoration of non COVID-19 services, the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on BAME communities and the NHS staff health and wellbeing programme.

The SPF has produced a podcast on Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's people strategy. This strategy was the winner of the HPMA 2019 SPF award for partnership working between employers and trade unions. In the podcast, you can listen to how the people strategy at Hillingdon has benefitted the trust and staff working there.

This first June 2020 issue of the SPF bulletin features updates from the 19 May COVID-19 SPF engagement group and the 20 May Wider Group, chaired by Helen Whately. There is also COVID-19 specific guidance on risk assessments for staff, indemnity for NHS staff working in care homes, the life assurance scheme and overtime payments.

The 20 May meeting of the Wider Group was chaired by Helen Whately. The group discussed how the NHS is supporting care homes, the progress of the testing strategy, the PPE program, and risk assessment guidance and engagement with all vulnerable staff.

This second May edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from Wider Group and two COVID-19 SPF engagement group meetings, a summary of the testing briefing held on 1 May, and more resources to help NHS workers and workforce leaders during the pandemic.

In this 6 May meeting, the Wider Group met to discuss data which shows COVID-19 having a disproportionate impact on people from a BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) background, testing strategy,feedback from the SPF testing briefing held on 1 May and the national effort to ensure supply and production of PPE.

This Wider Group meeting was the first to welcome Helen Whately, a member of parliament for health and social care and the ministerial chair of the SPF. Partners reflected on the Personal Protective Equipment briefing held on April 21, the establishment of the Nightingale hospitals and accessibility to testing.

This May bulletin features updates from the wider group, workforce issues group and two COVID-19 SPF engagement groups, as well as further resources and information to support the workforce and leaders during the pandemic.

On 21 April, the SPF held a workshop on personal protective equipment (PPE). The workshop enabled partners to meet with experts and get answers to key questions on the supply of PPE and the level of PPE that should be used in specific clinical procedures. Read the key messages from the workshop.

Join the unions in a minute's silence on Tuesday 28 April to commemorate key workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.

This second April bulletin features information on the changes the SPF is making to its working arrangements during COVID-19, updates from new working groups, as well as resources to support the workforce and leaders during the pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) poses enormous challenges for the NHS workforce. As a result, partnership working in organisations may need to be streamlined and organisational change, employment processes and industrial disputes put on hold. Read how the SPF is responding to these challenges.

The April edition of the SPF bulletin features updates on February and March SPF meetings, as well as featuring key updates on the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

The latest SPF Wider Group meeting was held virtually on 19 March. It focused almost exclusively on the coronavirus situation. Prof Keith Willett, Medical Director, Acute Care and Preparedness and National Strategic Incident Director for COVID-19 for the NHS, provided an overview of current planning and response in the NHS, and Gavin Larner and Angie Walsh from DHSC provided an overview of departmental planning around workforce issues.

Read the SPF response to the 2019 NHS Staff Survey results.

Listen to our new podcast, recorded at a SPF People Plan workshop to hear about trade union involvement in the NHS People Plan.

The January edition of the SPF bulletin features information on how to enter the 2020 HPMA award for partnership working and an update from the recent strategic group and violence reduction meetings.You can also find information on the Yorkshire & Humber SPF statement on leadership development in the NHS.

The November edition of the SPF bulletin features the launch of the 2020 Health People Management Awards. Information on the SPF people plan workshop and NHSE/I core offer feedback portal. Updates on the new BMA mental wellbeing resource and information on how to apply for the NHS Whistleblowers' Support Scheme.

NHS England/ Improvement (NHSE/I) has reached out to the NHS workforce inviting them to share their thoughts on how to make the NHS the best place to work.

The September edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the September Strategic Group meeting and information about the joint NHS Employers and acas conference focusing on building the best place to work. You can also find out about a new addition to the SPF website - an interactive regional map and take a look at the recently updated jargon buster.

The July edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the July wider group meeting and information about the SPF's priorities. You can also find out about the recent interim people plan workshop and the annual North SPF conference together with details of the latest updates to the SPF website and view the Just and learning culture tool from Mersey Care.

Members of the SPF wider group discussed the NHS People Plan and how the SPF is being involved. Hillingdon Hospitals NHS FT showcased their HPMA award winning partnership strategy to developing a People Strategy. The Call to Action 2-years-on report Creating a Culture of Civility, Compassion and Respect was agreed.

The TUC's Dying to Work campaign has produced a voluntary charter for individual employers to sign. It commits employers to support, protect and guide staff following a terminal diagnosis. Find out more.

The June edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the May SPF Strategic group meeting and the winner of the SPF HPMA 2019 partnership working award. Information from the combined WIG and NRG meeting and recent updates to the SPF website. You can also read information on the facility time reporting and the financial cost of bullying calculator.

See all the latest news from the 2019 HPMA Awards ceremony, including who won the SPF sponsored HPMA Partnership Award, case studies from finalists and a podcast.

Members of the SPF were involved in developing the Interim People Plan, which was published 3 June 2019, take a look at their response.

Helpforce and NHS trade unions have published a volunteering charter. The charter shows how volunteers can make a valuable contribution to the NHS in England, without undermining paid staff or affecting patient safety.

The meeting covered a range of issues including: the NHS Long-term plan and the associated workforce implementation plan, the NHS Staff Survey 2018, EU Exit update and the violence reduction strategy being led by NHS Improvement. Cheshire and Mersey SPF also presented on the benefits of place-based partnership working.

The April edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the March SPF wider group meeting, information on the HPMA finalist and recent updates to the SPF website. You can also read two new case study's from East Midland's and North East regions.

Read the new case study from East Midlands SPF about how to implement new ways of working through an organisational approach to become more productive and efficient.

The February edition of the SPF bulletin features the SPF's response to the NHS Staff Survey 2018 and updates from the SPF Strategic Group. You can also find information on 2018 WRES data, the North SPF joint regional meeting, recent updates to the SPF website and how to register for the An NHS workforce for the future bulletin.

The posters share useful information and good practice examples of work being done by organisations across the NHS to tackle bullying and create positive workplace cultures.

The December edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the SPF Strategic Group and SPF Wider Group meetings. The bulletin also features the launch of the 2019 HPMA awards, and details of how you can submit an entry for the SPF sponsored partnership award. You can also read information on how to register for our webinar on positive workplace culture on the 29 January.

Find out more including how to register and submit your entry for the HPMA Partnership Award 2019.

Matt Hancock, secretary of state for health and care, joined the SPF wider group meeting on 17 October and spoke about his priorities for health and care. The meeting also covered, the Long Term Plan, wholly owned subsidiaries, the flu fighter campaign, tackling violence and the ambulance sector partnership forum.

The September edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the SPF strategic group meeting and the Workforce Engagement/Experience Workshop, together with details of the Secretary of State's Talk Health and Care portal, where health and care staff can share their views. Read more in the September edition of the SPF bulletin.

SPF's Wider Group met on 10 July. Sara Gorton, trade union chair, welcome Caroline Dinenage, minister of state for care and the new ministerial chair of the SPF. The meeting covered a range of issues including: Agenda for Change pay reform, NHS workplace culture, and NHS England's nursing recruitment campaign. MerseyCare NHS Foundation Trust also presented on their just and learning culture initiative.

The July edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the SPF strategic group and workforce issues group (WIG). Also featured is an insight into how the North East SPF was created.

Read about the 2018 HPMA Awards ceremony, including case studies and a podcast from our finalists and the overall winner of the SPF award for partnership working: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust's implementation of a just and learning culture.

The May edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the SPF Strategic Group and SPF Workforce Issues Group (WIG). Also featured is SPF's tackling bullying priorities for 2018/19, and NHS England's staff health and wellbeing framework. Read more in the May SPF bulletin.

SPF's Wider Group met on 15 March. The meeting covered a range of issues including: NHS Staff Survey 2017 results, creating positive cultures and the Flu Fighter campaign. Read more to find out what else was discussed.

The March edition of the SPF bulletin features an update from the SPF Wider Group, the SPF response to the 2017 NHS Staff Survey results and the national and regional SPF response to the draft workforce strategy for health and social care. Also featured is the latest version of the SPF jargon buster which supports NHS staff to understand system change terminology, and you can read about the SPF Strategic Group visits to Integrated Care Systems. Read more in the March SPF bulletin.

SPF Strategic Group members visited a number of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) (formerly ACSs) to identify and understand the key issues at a local level and to help inform the next steps of any national level work.

See the SPF response to the draft workforce strategy.

Read the SPF response to the results of the 2017 NHS Staff Survey, published 6 March 2018.

The February edition of the SPF bulletin features an update from SPF Strategic Group, and a new case study which highlights social partnership working in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. The bulletin also features resources and support for raising concerns (whistleblowing) and the indicative timetable for implementation of the Workforce Disability Equality Standard. You can also find out about the deadline extension for entries to the HPMA partnership award, and see how to apply. Read more in the February edition of the SPF bulletin.

The SPF held the creating positive cultures summit on 28 November 2017. Bringing together NHS employers, ALB's and trade unions to reflect on the first year of the call to action, and set priorities for the year ahead. Resources from the summit are now available to download from the call to action web page, including summit notes and posters which showcase the excellent tackling bullying initiatives that have been developed by trusts over the last year.

The December edition of the SPF bulletin features an update from SPF Strategic Group, Embedding Partnership Working Group (EPWG), an update on the latest SPF meeting with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The bulletin also features the launch of the HPMA awards 2018, and details of how you can submit an entry for the SPF sponsored partnership award. You can also read about the SPF creating positive cultures summit, as well as the SPF's social media campaign for #AntiBullyingWeek. Read more in the December SPF bulletin.

The Social Partnership Forum (SPF) is pleased with the strong commitment from senior NHS leaders to a co-ordinated and candid approach to workforce issues and that this is reflected in the draft workforce strategy published 13 December 2017. Partners on the SPF welcome the collaborative way the strategy was produced and that there will be a lengthy consultation period, which will give us the opportunity to fully digest the document and agree a considered SPF response by the deadline of 23 March.

The HPMA Excellence Awards 2018 recognise and reward outstanding work in healthcare human resource management. This year the SPF is proud to once again sponsor the partnership award. This prestigious award recognises examples of partnership working between employers, trade unions and other stakeholders, in the provision of health and social care.

Read about the latest SPF Wider Group meeting, which covered progress with the Workforce Race Equality Standard; the 2017/18 Flu Fighter campaign; plans to celebrate the NHS's 70th birthday; and system change and partnership working in Dorset accountable care system (ACS).

The November edition of the SPF bulletin features a summary of the SPF wider group which took place on 18 October, the latest national and regional SPF priorities, and details for the SPF’s twitter account launch. You can find the latest SPF national action log, DOCAS guidance, and an update following the Health Education England (HEE) consultation. The bulletin also features NHS Employers Flu Fighter campaign and details of how your organisation can sign up to join the #jabathon thunderclap.

The September edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the SPF Strategic Group on 5 September, details of strategic group visits to accountable care systems, as well as summaries from recent Workforce Issues Group meetings. You can find the latest version of the SPF members handbook, and read about the SPF’s key achievements from 2016-17. The bulletin also features updates on the work to tackle bullying and create positive workplace cultures, and details on how you can book your place on the health and care women leaders network conference.

The August edition of the SPF bulletin features updates from the SPF Wider Group on 11 July and the SPF Strategic Group on 27 June, as well as summaries from the latest Workforce Issues Group meetings. You can find updated pension access and New Fair Deal FAQs and download the new NHS Staff Council guidance on apprenticeships. The bulletin also features updates on the progress of the SPF’s tackling bullying work, including links to good practice case studies on supporting a positive culture in NHS organisations, and a review by the BMA on workplace bullying and harassment of doctors and how this could be addressed.

Read about the latest SPF Wider Group meeting where ministerial chair Phillip Dunne conveyed a message that he would continue to prioritise improving patient safety and patient outcomes, performance to improve NHS finances, and workforce issues, including taking forward the SPF's tackling bullying initiative. The group also welcomed Sara Gorton to her first meeting as the new NHS staff side chair of the SPF.