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Information Transfer commissioned by major NHS teaching hospital to develop e-learning on financial management

Learning NewsActeon Communication and Learning

Information Transfer has written a course on a key financial subject for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, the NHS' largest Trust.

The e-learning module covers Payment by Results (PbR), a central element of the health service financial system designed to bring about fundamental change to the way funds move between commissioners (such as GP practices) and providers (hospitals).

"PbR affects many areas of work in NHS hospitals and primary care trusts," said Nicholas Clayton, Senior Partner at Information Transfer, "so its principles need to be understood by staff at all levels."

The financial management team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) realised that the success of the new financial regime would require all staff who have responsibility for planning and budget management to be fully aware of its implications.

The course is written for non-financial staff in the Trust, including operational managers, budget holders, business managers, clinicians and non-executive directors. It will also be useful for finance staff who are new to NHS finance and want to gain a better understanding of Payment by Results.

To ensure that the content dealt with the questions and concerns of LTHT staff a series of telephone interviews was conducted with a range of people in administration and clinical areas. The points that emerged from these interviews were recorded by voice-over artists as short audio scripts for on-screen characters who appear at intervals on 'Stop and listen' pages.