A new workforce, education and training structure has been planned by a consultation document published by the Department of Health on 20 December. It stated that it will be led by local healthcare providers and patient needs as well.

Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce is the document which states that greater responsibility for developing the healthcare workforce should be taken by employers.

It also states that currently discharged by strategic health authorities, local 'skills networks' of employers will take on many of the workforce functions.

Under the stewardship of the healthcare professions, the quality of education and training will remain. They will work in partnership training providers, colleges, universities and other education providers.

The white paper reforms unveiled earlier this year is what the new system will fit with according to the Department of Health and this will enable employers to have greater autonomy and accountability for planning and developing the workforce.

Clare Chapman, the department's director general of workforce, said that for developing the current and future healthcare workforce, greater local freedom for delivering healthcare will demand new responsibilities.

He added, "This consultation lays out proposals on how this can be achieved and there will be many who will want to make their voices heard and shape the way forward."