STAFF at Worcestershire hospitals who have no professional qualifications are being encouraged to learn new skills as part of a pilot scheme in a bid to improve patient care.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is one of five organisations to be chosen to pilot the new NHS University's Learning Accounts Offer.

Worcestershire Social Services and primary care trusts in both Herefordshire and Worcestershire are also taking part in the pilot, which will see staff being offered up to £150 to either learn new skills or further their careers.

Staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital and the Alexandra, in Redditch, are being encouraged to take part.

Ancillary, administrative, clerical and maintenance staff are being targeted in particular, but the scheme is open to all hospital or health employees.

"This is a very exciting development with lots of opportunities," said Carole Close, vocational training centre manager for the NHS in Worcestershire.

Steve Akers, county spokesman for the project, which was launched yesterday to mark the start of Adult Learning Week said: "This a new and unique 'corporate university' aimed at all staff working in health and social care.

"The goal is to improve patient care through workplace and work-based learning."

The scheme will be started by offering healthcare assistants across Worcestershire and Herefordshire a variety of 10-week courses, he added.