WIREDGOV

The Patients Association is concerned about the impact that inadequate levels of staffing and the excessive cost of agency staff is having on patient safety.

A report published recently by the National Audit Office (NAO) shows that in 2014 there was a 5.9% shortfall in staffing, which equates to around 50,000 less clinical staff. The report also highlights how hospitals have increased their expenditure on agency staff, putting significant pressure on their finances. Outlay on temporary staff has risen from £2.2 billion in 2009/10 to £3.3 billion in 2014/15.

Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association said: 

“This report is enormously worrying for patients. Safe staffing levels are essential to providing patients with a good standard of care. Our National Helpline hears from an increasing number of patients who have expressed concerns that during their treatment there was either too few permanent staff or that staff did not communicate with them properly. 

“Communicating effectively with patients and their families is a key part of providing humane and compassionate care. Patients benefit from the continuity that permanent staff can offer. There must be sufficient staff so that clinicians can spend time with patients and their families and provide the holistic care that is needed.

“The Patients Association is particularly troubled by the continued growth in spending on agency staff. The cost of agency staff is a significant reason why many NHS Trusts are finding themselves in an increasingly bleak financial position. 

“The NHS overspend, to which agency staff levels are a significant contribution, is not sustainable. There is no quick fix, but with better long-term planning Trusts could redirect much of their current spend on agency staff into recruiting and training new permanent members of staff instead. This would be better for patients and make better use of public money. ”

Further information:

• Full Report (PDF - 787KB)
• Summary (PDF - 131KB)
• EPUB Version (EPUB - 1249KB)
• Press Release

Notes to Editors:

The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 52 years ago, which has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the UK Health and Social care system.

For further information please contact Matthew Tisi, Communications & Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8423 9111, or email matthew@patients-association.com or call 07779 004898.

Visit our website at www.patients-association.org.uk