UCL academic Chairs independent health and social care workforce panel

Professor Dame Jane Dacre (UCL Medical School) is leading an independent Parliamentary review evaluating the UK Government's commitments to improve the health and social care workforce in England. Set up by the cross-party Health and Social Care Committee, Dame Jane has been Chair of the politically impartial Expert Panel since August 2020, with the aim of assessing government pledges in different areas of healthcare policy. The panel gives Care Quality Commission-style ratings on the government's performance in meeting policy commitments, grading them from "inadequate" to "outstanding". The independent and objective evaluation is designed to enhance the select committee's core task of holding the government and ministers to account. For the latest evaluation, four specialists in health and social care, workforce modelling, social policy, and knowledge exchange have been appointed, bringing their subject specific expertise and experience. The specialist members are working alongside the core members of the Expert Panel to identify a set of government commitments made in health and social care workforce and evaluate the UK Government's progress against them. The Expert Panel is focusing on three areas: planning for the workforce - including how targets are set, recruitment, and retention; building a skilled workforce - including incorporating technology and professional development of staff; wellbeing at work - including support services for staff, and reducing bullying rates.