Support for winter pressures

As winter approaches, now is the time to ensure your organisation is prepared for the additional staffing pressures brought on by the colder months.

In anticipation of the challenging winter ahead, we would like to remind you that the NHS Workforce Alliance is here to support you during these demanding circumstances. We have created some guidance to help local workforce teams and clinical leaders work together collaboratively to manage risk across local systems.

Plan Effectively – Job Planning and E-Rostering

  • Ensure rosters are drafted and circulated to relevant departments in good time for winter planning
  • Take steps to address any gaps in rosters and identify hard-to-fill roles so they can be actioned appropriately.
  • Identify gaps as a result of industrial action (Junior Doctors and Consultants)

Develop a robust agency management process

  • Develop preferred supplier lists (PSL) so you have access to local agencies that can deliver against your requirements
  • Conduct strategic supplier review meetings to track agency performance and ensure they are meeting their key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Work with us on commercial management of agency suppliers against Alliance rate cards to ensure they aren’t escalating rates for nurses and doctors during times of high demand
  • Resist booking staff off-framework – off-framework bookings are often significantly more expensive but more importantly, can also put patient safety and your registration at risk. We have a range of resources available to support your organisation in reducing reliance on off-framework bookings

Access support from the NHS Workforce Alliance

  • If you are engaging with recruitment agencies, please contact your local Alliance lead to support with planning
  • Ensure compliance checks are in place before accepting candidate applications – our rigorous Health Assurance Audit Process provides peace of mind that workers provided by suppliers through our frameworks are compliant with the NHS Employers Check Standards as well as the obligations set out in the individual agreements
  • Check suppliers are compliant with NHS Workforce Alliance rate card

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local NHS Workforce Alliance partners. Together we can get the right people in the right jobs, quickly and safely.  

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