| Abstract: | In order to introduce a new cardiothoracic service for the West Midlands, it was necessary to recruit staff without specialist experience, then provide training and education to enable them to develop the necessary skills. A practice development team was set up to develop an appropriate and cost-effective programme that took account of the needs of the service and of individual learners. The programme had a number of elements, including documentation, and a range of internal and external learning opportunities. It appears to have had a positive effect on both staff retention and sickness rates. |
