We hope you enjoy reading through this month's Finance and Procurement Team Update. If you have any feedback on these pages, or if you have anything you wish to see or to be included in future editions, please contact Alison Roebuck.
One NHS Finance offers a range of free to use resources designed to advance the use of finance within the NHS, alongside related news articles, case studies and assocated blogs.
ONF Homepage (onenhsfinance.nhs.uk)
Supporting our staff through challenging times
The recent surge in violence and hate crimes across the country has been deeply unsettling and we recognise that many within our NHS community may be feeling vulnerable and isolated. NHS Finance is a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community where everyone should feel valued. In these challenging times, it's crucial that we come together and support one another - so please remember to reach out to your colleagues, direct reports, and teams to offer reassurance and a listening ear. Let’s ensure that everyone feels safe and supported during this time.
The One NHS Finance Inclusion and Diversity Ambassador Network is here to provide support, raise awareness, and foster a sense of belonging for all. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to a local I&D Ambassador that you can find through the map on the ONF website.
Remember you are not alone - we stand together as a community. Please take care of yourselves and each other, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support and we will endeavour to see where we can help.
Inclusion and Diversity Ambassador Network
Our Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) Ambassadors help us understand the impact our programmes and activities have on making NHS finance more inclusive. They also help to identify challenges and areas that need additional support, improvement and investment.
I&D Ambassadors come together in regional networks where they meet and share experiences. Together, they develop local action plans for their organisations and regions to implement.
Ambassadors work to link the ED&I action plan to the national finance development strategy. They also provide a vital link to finance teams, providing valuable feedback to leaders about what’s happening ‘on the ground’. These insights influence One NHS Finance’s strategic direction and future plans.
We hope you are enjoying the summer holidays and we know that many of you will be on leave having a well-earned break.
We are excited to announce that the Value Maker Annual Award nominations are officially open! 🏆 The awards recognise the hard work of our Value Makers in their organisations and wider health communities and will be presented at VMAC on November 7. Please submit your nominations by September 18 here.
The ONF team are pleased to share that our NHS Finance Insights Placement Scheme has been selected as a finalist at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2024 for the Leadership of the Year category. Wish us luck!
Find out what else is coming up this month, including exciting updates on a new FACE resource and how you can shape talent management conversations. ONF Homepage (onenhsfinance.nhs.uk)
The next NHS Finance Inclusion Conference has been confirmed for 16 October 2024 - save the date!
Time 12:00 - 16:30 | Discover how embracing race, culture, and beliefs can enhance the healthcare sector. Join us for an enlightening journey through inclusive practices in NHS Finance.
16 October Online
CPD hours: 4.5
Register here
For our next instalment in the NHS Finance Inclusion Conference series, we recognise the richness of our diverse community with the theme of Race, Culture & Beliefs.
We acknowledge that it is impossible to cover every race, culture and belief system comprehensively within this agenda, and we intend to celebrate the impactful work that organisations have been doing in this vital area.
At this event, we will showcase a representative range of initiatives, experiences, and best practices, inspire positive change and foster an inclusive environment within NHS Finance.
Agenda TBC
FUTURE FOCUSED FINANCE
There is now a value maker in every NHS Organisation and ICB in England!
A Value Maker is someone who is committed to making a difference. You don’t have to work in finance or commit to taking on additional work. We simply want to harness the power of a group of enthusiastic people to bring about positive change. Join us today by clicking this link
In the North West we have around 757 value makers. This network shares ideas and supports each other through a variety of national, system and organisational events.
VALUE MAKER ANNUAL CONFERENCE - IN PERSON
We invite you to join us at VMAC on 7th November 2024. This year, we have a bigger and better agenda, covering recruitment & retention, the EVO framework, making NHS Finance a great place to work, celebrating our successes and an exciting guest speaker!
Date: 7 November 2024
Time: 9:30 - 16:30
Place: The Royal National Hotel, London
Please join us in person at the Value Maker Annual Conference. Open to all current Value Makers and people interested in the network.
Get ready to network, learn, and be inspired at the Value Maker Annual Conference 2024!
There will be a range of sessions and opportunities to network, including the Value Maker awards presentation. You will be able to view the shortlist in due course.
This year, we have a bigger and better agenda, covering recruitment & retention, the EVO framework, making NHS Finance a great place to work, celebrating our successes and an exciting guest speaker!
Please view the draft agenda here.
If you are unable to attend the event in person, you can join online by booking here!
One NHS Finance Networks
There are several ways you can join and engage with One NHS Finance.
They have created this poster to give you an overview of all of the available networks.
The Skills Development Network brings together training and development opportunities for Finance, Procurement and Digital staff across the whole of the NHS.
Upcoming events from August onwards
Wednesday 14th August 2024 (13:00 - 15:30)
Wednesday 14th August 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Monday 9th September 2024 (10:00 - 11:00)Monday 16th September 2024 (10:00 - 11:00)Monday 23rd September 2024 (10:00 - 11:00)Monday 30th September 2024 (10:00 - 11:00)
Wednesday 11th September 2024 (09:00 - 17:00)Wednesday 25th September 2024 (09:00 - 17:00)Wednesday 9th October 2024 (09:00 - 17:00)Tuesday 22nd October 2024 (09:00 - 17:00)Wednesday 13th November 2024 (09:00 - 17:00)
Wednesday 11th September 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Thursday 12th September 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Tuesday 17th September 2024 (09:30 - 16:00)
Wednesday 18th September 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Wednesday 18th September 2024 (10:00 - 12:30)
Thursday 19th September 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Tuesday 24th September 2024 (13:00 - 14:30)
Tuesday 24th September 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Wednesday 25th September 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Wednesday 25th September 2024 (09:30 - 12:00)
Wednesday 25th September 2024 (10:00 - 12:30)
Wednesday 25th September 2024 (13:00 - 15:30)
Thursday 26th September 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Thursday 3rd October 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Wednesday 9th October 2024 (09:30 - 11:30)
Wednesday 9th October 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Thursday 10th October 2024 (09:30 - 11:00)
Thursday 10th October 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Tuesday 15th October 2024 (10:00 - 12:30)
Thursday 17th October 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Tuesday 22nd October 2024 (09:30 - 12:00)
Thursday 24th October 2024 (09:30 - 16:00)
Tuesday 29th October 2024 (13:00 - 14:00)
Tuesday 29th October 2024 (13:00 - 15:30)
Tuesday 29th October 2024 (10:00 - 12:30)
Tuesday 5th November 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Wednesday 6th November 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Monday 11th November 2024 (09:30 - 12:00)
Monday 11th November 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Tuesday 12th November 2024 (09:30 - 16:30)
Wednesday 13th November 2024 (09:30 - 16:00)
Thursday 14th November 2024 (10:00 - 12:00)
Tuesday 19th November 2024 (09:30 - 13:00)
Wednesday 20th November 2024 (09:00 - 10:30)
Wednesday 20th November 2024 (11:00 - 12:30)
Friday 22nd November 2024 (10:00 - 11:00) and Friday 29th November 2024 (10:00 - 11:00)
Tuesday 26th November 2024 (09:30 - 12:30)
Tuesday 3rd December 2024 (09:30 - 16:30)
Thursday 12th December 2024 (09:30 - 12:00)
Tuesday 17th December 2024 (13:00 - 15:30)
Wednesday 12th February 2025 (09:30 - 16:00)
Your NHS Career Story
There is an opportunity to share your NHS Career Story with the Skills Development Network.
If you would like to share your NHS career story on the SDN website, click here to send us your story.
Have a look at some of the stories that have already been shared by opening this link NHS Career Stories (skillsdevelopmentnetwork.com)
Online Learning
Below you will find a series of interactive short, smart learning opportunities delivered directly to you at your desktop.
COURSES AND EVENTS
A number of courses and events are available via HFMA - please follow this link to open their website and to search on many of the courses.
Bands 2 to 6: time management, work-life balance and study skills
10 September | 09.30 | online
Productivity, efficiency and value in healthcare
11 September | 09.30 | London
Discounted rates available for HFMA partners
Presenting mental health data using dashboards
17 September | 14.00 | webinar
Free to all NHS staff
Autumn leadership forum 2024: implementing the NHS long-term workforce plan
19 September | 1 day | London
Free places available for HFMA partners
International value symposium 2024
8 October | 09.00 | online
Free places available for Healthcare Costing for Value Institute partners
Bands 2 to 6: excel essentials
22 October | 10.00 | online
HFMA COMPETITION
The HFMA has also published its survey for members to help improve its services. Include your name and contact details to be in with the chance to win a £100 gift voucher. The deadline for completing the survey is Friday 13 September.
Tell us what matters to you
We’re keen to hear your views on HFMA membership and any advice on what activities we should prioritise. This is particularly important as during the autumn we will start work on refreshing our strategy for 2025 and beyond.
We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to tell us what you think and help us improve what we offer to our members. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Win a £100 gift voucher
If you include your name and contact details you will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a £100 gift voucher of your choice. The deadline for completing the survey is Friday 13 September.
Thank you in advance for taking time to complete the survey, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
HFMA North West Branch lunch and learn: bands 2 to 6 data session
The North West Branch will be running a data session for its bands 2 to 6 members. The event will take place over MS Teams on 28 August 2024 from 12:00-13:00 and will be free to attend.
This session will include an introduction to data engineering, data analytics, data science and AI and how all of these are impacting NHS finance. This will be presented by the Data Analytics team at MIAA.
Session overview:
Introduction
Mind map overview of data fields
Data engineering
Data analytics
Data Science
AI
Conclusion and Q&A
If you have any queries about this event, please direct them to either ellie
Your details - HFMA North West Branch - Bands 2-6 data session (cvent.com)
19 September 2024 from 10am
The day will cover why we cost and the costing process. You will hear about the National Cost Collection, the importance of accurate costing information to the wider NHS and how cost data can be used to inform decision making and improve patient care. This event is for those that will benefit from an overview of costing in the NHS or those new to costing.
Personal information - Introduction to NHS costing - Sept 2024 (cvent.com)
11 October 2024 from 9am
The HFMA mental health and learning disabilities finance conference is a learning and development event and is the largest face to face event for the HFMA Hub mental health network. The conference brings together health and care finance colleagues nationally, with a programme of high-level briefings, technical updates and patient focused content to leave you feeling energised.
The programme is designed as a chance for you to meet, network and connect with new and old colleagues, hearing from national leaders in the health and care sector as well as case studies in best practice.
The event is designed for NHS, public sector, non-for-profit and third sector providers, charitable sectors, academics and researchers with a role or interest in the delivery of mental health and learning disability services.
Attendance at this event is free to all HFMA Hub partners.
Personal information - Mental health and learning disabilities conference 2024 (cvent.com)
Hi All
This conference provides a great opportunity for networking and new learning & development, whilst having the opportunity to listen to key senior figures in NHSE finance across the country, they have continually been a success - if you feel you would like to attend, or would like to nominate a colleague, then please complete an application form (alongside reading the FAQs and the detail in the email below).
The regional deadline for applications is midday 29th August, therefore, please ensure any application is sent into either Sally or myself by close of play Friday 9th August, so we can lead on and coordinate the trust applications for the limited places supported by NHSE NW.
Any questions give me a shout.
Thanks
Danny
Dear All
We are delighted to announce the release of HFMA North West Branch Annual Conference bursary. Thanks to the generosity of colleagues at NHS England North West we have a number of full places available for our colleagues across the patch to bid for so that they can attend the HFMA Annual Conference 2024 in London, from Applicants must be able to attend the full conference Wednesday 04-Friday 06 December 2024.
Why should you apply?
The conference will provide a fantastic opportunity to network with finance professionals, to listen to leading figures in NHS finance and world-renowned healthcare speakers, as well meeting senior leaders from across the NHS including Julian Kelly, Chief Finance Officer of NHS England, members of the National finance leadership team as well as many other senior colleagues from across the country.
Don’t just take our word for it though, watch the promotional videos in the link to hear from: Video link
In 2023, NHS England North West sponsored 13 staff, and a high level of satisfaction was reported by the delegates, from application to pre-meetings, conference content and meeting their development objectives. Some of these staff have volunteered and are part of the HFMA NW Band 2-6 committee.
Who can apply and how to apply?
You can do this by nominating yourself or applying on behalf of a colleague. Please ensure you read the ‘Frequently asked questions’ prior to submitting an application.
If you work at a grade 8a or below and are a member of HFMA (membership is free to all staff in bands 2 to 6 and applications can be made here) you can nominate yourself, or be nominated by a line manager or work colleague, by submitting an application here:
HFMA Annual Conference 2024 - Application form
Closing date for nominations: Midday - Thursday 29 August 2024
How is the bursary judged?
A panel will review the nominations and award places on merit, ideally ensuring a fair spread across the NW Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
The panel members will include:
Support before, during and after the conference
Supporting documents
Further information about the conference is available on the HFMA website: HFMA annual conference 2024 | HFMA
Each year, the HFMA Awards celebrate colleagues from across the country to honour the achievements of individuals and teams in NHS finance. This year, we are proud to introduce the rising star and finance champion of the year award categories.
The deadline for submitting entries is Friday 27 September.
Finance champion of the year award
The finance champion of the year award is specifically for NHS colleagues outside of finance, acknowledging the contribution they make to the effective management of NHS finances.
Rising star award
The rising star award is specifically for members in bands 2 to 6 (or equivalent, including apprentices). It recognises individuals who have shown initiative, skill and commitment and who are also making a significant contribution to the effective management of finances in their organisation. This category is only open to HFMA members, if you would like to nominate for this award, please contact your local HFMA branch.
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all well.
The last All Staff session was based on a Wellbeing theme and Katie Derrick, Health and Wellbeing Facilitator for the trust, was invited along to talk to us about the trust wellbeing offer. Katie facilitated a mindfulness session and, whilst I am sure there will be mixed thoughts on whether this is for everyone, the aim of the exercise was a good one - to allow some time out to be calm in what can seem a chaotic world. Katie mentioned Mental Health First Aiders and, as a newly qualified MHFA, I wanted to explain more about the role and why I chose to get involved.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am married with two children and a dog who I adore!! When I am not in work, I appreciate a slower pace and enjoy doing things that allow me time to “recharge”. I am lucky enough to live quite near to the beach where I can enjoy long dog walks and time to contemplate life....
I have worked in NHS Finance for 25 years - it has never been busier and there are new challenges all the time. Every day our teams work harder than ever to deliver, and just keep going without giving it a second thought. I have felt first-hand the pressure of trying to do it all and feeling like I am achieving nothing. I am so grateful to have a support network around me for when things get tough….. and I know the scariest part can be asking for help!!
A while ago I read in the trust comms about MHFA training and whilst I did not know anyone who had completed the course or much about what the role involved; I knew it was something I wanted to get involved in. I felt I had a responsibility firstly to support the staff I manage, but I also wanted to lead by example in putting the person first. Home and work commitments can be difficult to juggle, life is never predictable, and some days will just be bad days - these are all things that can impact on our ability to do our jobs. The course sounded like a real opportunity for me to help others…..
The MHFA course was 2 days. I received a basic understanding of mental health, how to recognise poor mental health and the tools to provide non-professional support. I became aware of the framework through which I consider life and how to listen, without judgement. These skills will also help outside work.
The intention the MHFA role is to raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma and discrimination. I am one of over 100 MHFAs in Mersey Care whose role is not to diagnose, but to support when needed. It is not a mandated role for the department in the same way as a First Aider or Fire Steward is, anyone can sign up. If it is something you think you may be interested in, speak to your line manager as part of your PACE conversations.
If you are (or you suspect someone else is) experiencing poor mental health, please seek out a MHFA. We can be recognised by wearing a green lanyard as an indicator that we are open to be approached. If you see me, and I am not wearing mine, it is because conversations about mental health are important and the last thing I would want is for someone to approach me and I cannot give them the time to listen 😊.
I hope this has been helpful but if you have any questions about MHFA or the MHFA role, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
Gill
Gill McKetterick
Strategic Head of Financial Services
Monthly Fraud Update – July 2024
We received 1 fraud notice from MIAA in July.
This is summarised below.
Please note that the Trust systems have already been checked and are not at risk from the specific frauds identified.
Any questions or queries please let me know.
Regards
Mike
Mike Jones
Financial Accountant (Assurance)
FPC-10-24-25 – Movianto Healthcare Supply Chain and Logistics (Data Breach)
We have been notified of a data breach affecting Movianto Healthcare Supply Chain and Logistics (who supply pharmaceutical, biotech, medical devices and diagnostics to the NHS).
On 04/07/2024, Movianto discovered that an unauthorised third party gained access to their database containing client data, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, including some mobile phone numbers and financial information. They suspect that the unauthorised party is seeking to use this information to notify their customers of a change of bank details to divert the payment of funds.
Movianto has not changed their bank account details in the last few months.
Action to take:
Sent on behalf of Sandip Kaur and Helen Jones
Please see below the link to the Finance Business Partner Vacancy within Financial Management
You will need to be aware of the key dates which are
We are inviting expressions of interest to fill an initial 3-month secondment into a Finance Business Partner role. Specifically, to support the expanding Research & Innovation Team.
This can be a sidewards Band 7 move or a development secondment from a Band 6 to a Band 7.
For informal enquiries about this role please contact myself or alternatively, submit an expression of interest direct to me outlining the reasons for your application.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm Friday 16 August 2024.
Please note, interested parties need to seek support from their current line manager before making a submission.
Many thanks
Sally
Sally Proffitt
Deputy Director of Finance
PROCUREMENT VACANCY:
Please see below link to a Senior Buyer (band 5) vacancy working within the Procurement function.
The vacancy can be accessed via this link
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Buyer working within the Finance and Procurement function. As the successful post holder you will be responsible for providing specialist procurement advice, the post holder will provide procurement advice that ensures value for money, quality of service and continuous improvement in the procurement process.
If you would like any further information or a discussion on this role, please contact Paul Harrison via email or Teams.
Closing date is 7 August 2024 at 23:59.
Click here to view the SDN vacancies: NHS Skills Development Network (NHS SDN)