Effective staffing means having the right numbers of the right people, in the right place at the right time. It is not as simple as having enough staff, but also ensuring that they have suitable knowledge, skills and experience to deliver safe care and treatment. Real-time staffing assessment (as part of the safety huddle process) supports the delivery of high quality health and care services.
Part two of the health and care (staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 places a duty on NHS boards and agencies to have real time staffing assessment, mitigation and escalation procedures in place. This legislation has not yet been enacted. Further information on meeting 2019 act obligations and the support available from HIS and your NHS board workforce lead can be accessed here.
The real-time staffing risk assessment (undertaken at least once daily) provides a structured approach to evaluating immediate workload, with available staffing, to risk assess the requirement for any mitigating actions or escalation of risk. This process addresses the fundamental question of is it ‘safe to start’ delivering care, and if not, how we address the identified issues and risks.
Evidence
Griffiths P, Recio-Saucedo A, Dall’Ora C, Briggs J, Maurotti A, Meredith P, et al. The association between nurse staffing and omissions in nursing care: a systematic review. J Adv Nurs. 2018 Jul; 74(7): 1474–1487
