Midlands

Find out more about the Midlands SPF
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The Midlands SPF was established in December 2024 following the merger of the former West Midland and East Midlands SPFs. The Forum comprises employers, trade unions and NHS Employers’  Midlands and East engagement team.
 

Priorities for 2024/25

  • System and regional partnership working principles
  • New ways of working
  • Staff health and wellbeing, including reducing violence and aggression at work and improving sexual safety at work
  • Staff experience 
  • Working in partnership with employers and trade unions during industrial action

*These priorities will be evaluated through an equality, diversity, and inclusion perspective.

Achievements for 2023/24

  • On 13 November 2023, the Midlands and East of England SPFs participated in our annual partnership conference. Over 60 delegates attended the conference, which included sessions on each regions priorities. Participants received presentations and engaged in discussions on their specific challenges and opportunities.
  • The Midlands and East of England SPFs took an active role in collaborative development sessions alongside their corresponding regional HR director networks. Sessions explored a range of topics, including health and wellbeing and managing relationships during industrial action. These sessions aimed to enhance collaboration between the two networks.
  • We explored what good partnership working looks like at an Integrated care system level. 
  • We explored how neurodivergent staff can thrive into their roles within the NHS.
  • We continued to discuss the importance of sexual safety at work.
  • We continued positive and constructive partnership engagement on industrial action.
  • We discussed the development of a replacement for the electronic staff record tool in partnership with the NHS Business Services Authority.
  • We developed and shared good practice tips to support staff during winter.

Meet the team

The Midlands SPF co-chairs include representation from both former Midlands regions:

  • Rob Simcox – Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (East Midlands)
  • Ali Koeltgen – Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (West Midlands) 
  • David Limer – UNISON (East Midlands)
  • David Kirwan – Royal College of Nursing (East Midlands)
  • Oliver Hopkins – UNISON
  • Chanel Willis – UNISON

Contact us

For further information on the Midlands SPF, please contact the NHS Employers Midlands and East Engagement team.

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