Mid-Staffs aftermath sees NHS pledge to recruit on values
7 February 2013
Following publication of the shocking findings of the public inquiry into mistreatment of patients at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, the head of the organisation representing employers in the NHS has told Recruiter that the service is committed to recruiting staff with the right behaviours and values.
Thu, 7 Feb 2013
Following publication of the shocking findings of the public inquiry into mistreatment of patients at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, the head of the organisation representing employers in the NHS has told Recruiter that the service is committed to recruiting staff with the right behaviours and values.
One of the major criticisms, made in the report by Robert Francis QC into failings that led to the needless death of up to 1,200 patients, is that many NHS staff are no longer driven by values such as compassion and caring for patients, and more on achieving targets.
NHS Employers chief executive officer Dean Royles tells Recruiter: “In recent years, NHS organisations have been exploring how they can better 'recruit for values and train for skills'. Much of this was prompted by the first Francis report that first demonstrated, in shocking detail, the harm that can be done by even a small minority of staff with an unacceptable attitude and inappropriate supervision. This further report will certainly accelerate this approach.
“NHS organisations will be exploring how they can use the report’s recommendations to ensure recruits who care for vulnerable patients can demonstrate they have the right behaviours.
“The NHS has been continually improving how it implements employment checks and standards. But employers know that no tests and measures will be fully effective unless they are backed up by a culture where concerns are raised confidently and patient care is central in every decision.”
Yesterday Royles described the challenges faced by the NHS following the public inquiry “as a major test of our HR community”.
Following publication of the shocking findings of the public inquiry into mistreatment of patients at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, the head of the organisation representing employers in the NHS has told Recruiter that the service is committed to recruiting staff with the right behaviours and values.
One of the major criticisms, made in the report by Robert Francis QC into failings that led to the needless death of up to 1,200 patients, is that many NHS staff are no longer driven by values such as compassion and caring for patients, and more on achieving targets.
NHS Employers chief executive officer Dean Royles tells Recruiter: “In recent years, NHS organisations have been exploring how they can better 'recruit for values and train for skills'. Much of this was prompted by the first Francis report that first demonstrated, in shocking detail, the harm that can be done by even a small minority of staff with an unacceptable attitude and inappropriate supervision. This further report will certainly accelerate this approach.
“NHS organisations will be exploring how they can use the report’s recommendations to ensure recruits who care for vulnerable patients can demonstrate they have the right behaviours.
“The NHS has been continually improving how it implements employment checks and standards. But employers know that no tests and measures will be fully effective unless they are backed up by a culture where concerns are raised confidently and patient care is central in every decision.”
Yesterday Royles described the challenges faced by the NHS following the public inquiry “as a major test of our HR community”.
