Briefing

The size and diversity of the NHS means that it often has the right person for the job, but not necessarily in the right place at the right time. “skill swap” programmes reduce the need for costly outside experts by giving internal staff the chance to solve the problems usually left to consultants. Under a skill swap programme, an employee can be seconded to a job in a different organisation with the security of a continuing contract with their existing employer. (British Journal of Health Care Management, 1997,3: 378-9). Diversification, cross-fertilisation, and “graceful escapes from destructive situations” are cited as some of the benefits of the scheme.