The CIPD has recognised NHS National Services Scotland’s commitment to equipping its people function to support current and future workforce challenges
The CIPD has announced NHS National Service Scotland (NSS) as the first organisation headquartered and operating wholly within Scotland to achieve CIPD People Development Partner (PDP) status.
NHS NSS has secured PDP status through its focus on embedding professional standards and building a strong learning culture across its people team.
NHS NSS is at the heart of Scotland’s health service, providing shared corporate services, as well as strategic support and expert advice to NHS Scotland. It’s also responsible for delivering the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and national screening programmes and commissioning other specialist clinical services.
The NHS NSS people function, which also supports Public Health Scotland, covers everything from workforce planning and recruitment to employee engagement, organisational development and health, safety and wellbeing.
Like many organisations, NHS NSS faces ongoing service pressures, evolving workforce expectations, skills shortages and the need to drive long-term sustainability. This all puts high demands on how an organisation’s people are recruited, developed and supported.
NHS NSS has focused on strengthening its people function to build the capability and capacity needed to support the organisation’s current priorities and future workforce challenges.
“This is a landmark moment and testament to the professionalism and dedication of our people function. Being the first organisation headquartered and operating wholly within Scotland to achieve PDP status reflects our commitment to developing a future-focused workforce capable of meeting Scotland’s evolving healthcare needs.”
With support from our Employer Solutions team, NHS NSS reviewed its operating model to strengthen leadership accountability and align roles with the globally recognised CIPD Profession Map, promoting consistent, high-quality people practice.
Using the CIPD Development Insights Tool, NHS NSS also assessed its people team’s strengths and development needs, enabling them to take evidence-based decisions around investment in individual and team growth. For example, NHS NSS enrolled on the CIPD strategic workforce planning programme, which helped it embed strategic workforce planning capability across the team.
NHS NSS has also focused on supporting its team to achieve CIPD membership and the credibility that comes with professional recognition. Through personal development planning, funded CIPD qualifications and an expanding programme of learning and development opportunities, the organisation has removed obstacles to professional membership.
As a result, around half of the 100-strong team are now active CIPD members. This commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth is supported through mentoring, coaching and regular knowledge-sharing forums.
Another central element of an organisation achieving PDP status is demonstrating how it has expanded routes into the people profession. NHS NSS has done this by recruiting a business administration apprentice, highlighting its commitment to nurturing early career talent.
Looking ahead, NHS NSS will continue to invest in professional development and will consider expanding access to CIPD learning for non-members through a Group Affiliate subscription. The organisation also plans to use CIPD frameworks to guide ongoing workforce planning, identify further skills gaps and support long-term career progression.
“Achieving PDP status recognises NHS NSS’s commitment to developing its people function, embedding professional standards and creating clear pathways for learning and career growth.”
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