Paper
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Education Initiatives to Support Evidence-Based Nursing
The Delivery of Education and Training Programmes to a Community and Primary Care Workforce
Sharon Simpson-Prentis, PhD, BA, MSc and Linda Dobrzanska, Msc, Dip(N), PGCe. Professional Development Unit, Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
Learning Objective #1: Describe the function of the PDU and how it promotes a culture of enhancing knowledge through collaboration.
Learning Objective #2: Identify the range of activities undertaken by the PDU to support leadership, evidence-based practice and continuing professional development.
The British National Health service has undergone several reorganisations since its’ inception in 1940. The main intention underpinning each reorganisation has been to improve patient care and promote excellence in clinical practice. In 2001 Teaching Primary Care Trusts (PCT) were created to address difficulties in the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in economically disadvantaged areas.  The organisational forms of Teaching Trusts were not prescribed, instead each was encouraged to develop unique approaches to improving the range and quality of healthcare they offered.  One teaching PCT in Northern England with a diverse multi ethnic patient community, created a Professional Development Unit (PDU).
 
The PDU was formed in 2003 to provide effective clinical leadership alongside practice development to community and primary care nurses. A range of clinicians including nurse specialists, representatives from other health professionals, administrative support and a research co-ordinator are involved in the PDU.  The activities of the Unit are underpinned by the principle of promoting clinically effective practice against nationally recognised competencies. Although originally nursing specific, the Unit has now evolved to support multidisciplinary learning with an emphasis on inter-professional collaboration.
 
Knowledge and skill advancement is achieved through the delivery of:
 
 
The strategic approaches undertaken by the PDU ensure effective partnership between policy makers, managers, educators and practitioners to promote the exchange of research, practice and education.  The presentation will focus on the approach used by the PDU to deliver education and training to staff which is transferable to other health care settings.

See more of Education Initiatives to Support Evidence-Based Nursing
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)