Using Ward Data – the Challenges of Staff Recruitment and Retention

Alison Bielby, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

National Policy

• Francis Enquiry (February 2013)• How to ensure the right people, with the

right skills, are in the right place at the right time (November 2013)

• Hard Truths The Journey to Putting Patients First (January 2014)

• NICE clinical guideline – Safe staffing for nursing in adult inpatient wards in acute hospitals (July 2014)

Requirements of Trusts

• Ten expectations – 9 providers and 1 commissioner.

• National staffing data to be published on NHS Choices from May 2014

• Staffing data to be published in ward areas

• Monthly/six monthly board papers to be submitted

BHNFT

• District General Hospital on one site with approximately 450 beds.

• 20 inpatient areas including critical care, maternity and paediatrics

• Relatively stable work force• Already using safer nursing care tool to

assess acuity• Use e-roster system to roster nursing staff

Challenges

• Publishing data before the NICE guidance had been published.

• Validating data• Very quick turn around to submission• Recruitment• Political oversight

What did we do?

• Used e-roster and engaged the lead nurses in ensuring that data is validated

• Implementation of a new escalation system for staffing issues

• Triangulate to harms on the board paper including falls, PU, medicines.

• Developed a red flag system to compliment intentional rounding.

Ward staffing board

Quality Boards

Recruitment and retention

• Implemented development programmes for senior nursing staff.

• Staff surveys including FFT, heat checks and through Open and Honest Care

• Appraisal system linked to Trust objectives

• Skill mix and staffing requirements reviews

• Exit interviews

Recruitment and retention (cont.)• HR officer for recruitment – action plan

developed• Close working with HEI’s• Recruitment open day• Updated monthly situation report re

vacancies Trust wide• Updated preceptorship programme• Recruitment campaigns.

Conclusion

• No magic wand• Knowing your position• Preventing silo working• Being open and honest