Health estate plays ‘key role’ in staff retention
A hard-hitting new report has highlighted the important role of the estate in helping to address the ongoing workforce shortage across the health service.
Mandated minimum standards for healthcare facilities as part of improving working conditions for staff is one of the recommendations made by the King’s Fund’s policy adviser, Jessica Holden, in a new briefing to address NHS workforce challenges.
The paper calls for the provision of adequate space and time for all staff to take breaks, rest, and, where necessary, sleep.
It further calls for guaranteed access to functioning lockers, bathroom facilities, and nourishing food and drink in appropriate settings, and says that employers should receive funding to meet the mandated standard.
“Failing to modernise its approach to flexible working risks long-term NHS vacancies becoming a permanent fixture, as the number of UK workers expecting flexible working options continues to rise,” the briefing warns.
As of May 2024, there were more than 100,000 vacancies across the NHS workforce in England, excluding primary care vacancies such as GPs.
Holden said: “Improving staff working conditions will take time and effort across the health and care system and at all levels.
“This briefing focuses on immediate actions that can be taken by one group, the new government, to start bringing much-needed improvements.
“While this is not a comprehensive list of actions, the recommendations are early measures new ministers can take to improve working conditions and lay the foundations for more comprehensively addressing chronic staff shortages and increasing retention.
“The ultimate goal is to improve staff wellbeing and productivity, and therefore improve patients’ access to high-quality, safe, effective care.”