Are temporary ward staff cost effective?

摘要

BACKGROUND: Temporary staff cost the NHS a significant amount, which is unlikely to fall in the near future. What is their effect on care and cost? AIM: To compare staff activity, cost and service quality in wards with and without temporary staff, and highlight issues that ward managers need to monitor. METHOD: Data on patient dependency, nursing activity, workload, staffing and quality was collected for 959 NHS wards; 659 wards had permanent staff only, while 300 had permanent, bank and agency staff. RESULTS: Workloads and absence on wards with temporary staff were greater than on those with permanent staff only. Staffing levels on the former were lower, and working styles and quality scores differed. CONCLUSION: Ward managers should monitor temporary staffing, and its effect on ward staff activity and nursing quality.