Who should complete this category?

This category is aimed at those responsible for the procurement of e-Learning training resources. It might be:

• an Individual Organisation
• a collaboration between NHS organisations including e.g. PCT and Acute
• trusts and other sector organisations e.g. Local Authorities or education providers
• regional teams e.g. SHA level
• national bodies e.g. The Core Learning Unit.

First of all, you need to understand what we mean by resource procurement. Let us assume that you want to update your staff with a new procedure. A decision is made to do this through e-Learning rather than face-to-face training. By working through the statements in this category you will become aware of what represents best practice in the acquisition of high quality e-Learning resources.

You can use this category to help you to:

• create new resources
• commission brand new resources
• adapt some existing resources which you have found

You should work towards an approach to procurement which is:

• based on a clear business case, informed by evidence of need and of what currently exists or is in development
• designed to maximise impact in the workplace
• linked to major initiatives e.g. KSF and National Occupational Standards
• focused on seeking out best practice solutions
• able to offer portability of recognition for learning
• able to help the sector make optimum use of its purchasing power
• based on healthcare service standards and guidelines for e-Learning, including those for intellectual property

The benefits of this approach are that it would:

• reduce the duplication of effort in designing what are often costly and complex specifications
• assist in ensuring the development of ‘joined up’ solutions linked to national priorities and initiatives
• facilitate the commissioning of materials within the standards framework, linked to further development of the repository

What you will be considering.

The statements in this category ask you to consider the way that you and your colleagues go about procurement and will help you to find answers to the following questions.

• Are you sure that e-Learning is the solution to what you want to deliver?
• How does what you want to procure fit into local requirements?
• Does it exist elsewhere already?
• Do you have a budget for the resource?
• Do you have an experienced team of people to manage the procurement process?
• Have you arranged for some user testing?
• Do you know of any partners who may be interested in developing the resource with you e.g. a local Further Education college?
• Is the procurement informed by Health Care policies and service priorities?
• Do you know where the materials will be hosted?
• Will you be able to test them?

Related Resources

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  Guidelines to inform the development of e-learning in the NHS - the Salford Report
  

  A research study by the University of Salford looking at the procurement of e-Learning programmes and a guide to assist in the development of e-Learning in the NHS.

  Download file (215.8 KB pdf)

  
  
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  Principles to Support Collaborative Working with NHS Organisations producing E-learning resources.
  

  Guidance on supporting collaborative working with NHS Organistions producing e-Learning resources.

  Download file (49 KB doc)

  
  
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  Core Learning Unit
  

  The Core Learning Unit delivers e-Learning packages to NHS organisations free of charge. Their website contains details of the learning programmes developed for all staff working within the health and social care sectors including indicators of how these programmes support KSF, CNST and Standards for Better Health.

  http://www.corelearningunit.com
•  
  e-Learning for Healthcare
  

  e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) is an award winning e-learning programme providing national, quality assured online training content for the healthcare profession.

  http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/
•  
  Modernising healthcare training: e-Learning in healthcare services
  

  A report Commissioned by SHAs and DOH - April 2006, also known as the 'Road Map for e-Learning'. A thorough and useful study.

  Download file (649.8 KB pdf)

  
  

  http://www.nesc.nhs.uk/pdf/national_e-learning_report_screen_version_final.pdf
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  Connecting for Health
  

  Website for Connecting for Health.  Lots of links and useful information. It includes a search box to find resources using your keywords.

  http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk
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  Commissioning E-learning in the NHS, Some Key Principles
  

  A paper that sets out the principles that might be adopted by the National Management Group and other commissioners of e-Learning within the NHS to promote confidence, quality, transparency and value for money.

  Download file (154 KB doc)

  
  
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  e-Learning Programme Assessment
  

  A spreadsheet to help assess e-Learning resources, provided by the South Central Strategic Health Authority

  Download file (39 KB xls)

  
  
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  Logical approach template
  

  A template for applying blended learning techniques using the logical approach from the South Central Strategic Health Authority.

  Download file (36 KB doc)

  
  
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  Process flow for e-Learning content development
  

  A diagram illustrating some steps to go through when developiong e-Learning reosurces.

  Download file (34 KB doc)

  
  
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  Start here
  

  A slide presentation that considers various strategic aspects of e-Learning from NHS Education South Central.

  Download file (683 KB pps)