Safer Staffing

Safer staffing

Safe staffing is essential to delivering high-quality, safe care.

 

At Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC), we are committed to having the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. We monitor staffing levels, workforce capacity and capability, and take action where staffing gaps or risks are identified.

 

Our approach is informed by national safer staffing requirements and evidence-based guidance, from organisations including:

• National Quality Board (NQB),
• NHS England,
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE),
• Care Quality Commission (CQC).

NHS England states that evidence-based decision-making on safe and effective staffing is a requirement for all NHS organisations.

 

 

Reporting and transparency

Safer staffing is monitored through BCHC’s governance arrangements, with bi-monthly reports to the Trust Board providing assurance on staffing capacity, capability, risks and actions.

 

For our bedded inpatient services, planned and actual staffing levels are monitored each month and, in line with national safer staffing reporting requirements, this information is published to provide transparency about staffing levels.