This past week saw the publication of NHS England’s Staff Survey 2017, which revealed staff reporting lower satisfaction with the quality of work and care they are able to deliver.

Olivia Spruce, chief operating officer at Positive Healthcare, called for a “universal” approach to solving staffing issues in the services.

She told Recruiter: “I’m talking about an investment of energy, of passion and a meeting of minds from all levels of society to confront this problem which is damaging our NHS. I would like to see a consortium of experts including the NHS, staffing sector, patient group representatives and government to collaborate and engage in meaningful debate to explore and potentially implement a series of solutions that combats the crisis as a whole. We have the answer between us.”

Meanwhile Claire Billenness, managing director of Clarity Workforce Technology, told Recruiter while the survey results were concerning, they were not insurmountable.

“There are a vast array of reasons for the NHS’s workforce crisis, ranging from the damaging limits being placed on qualified overseas medical staff wanting to work in the NHS, and not training enough medical staff domestically, right through to the ancient technologies being used to roster and manage staff in hospitals. These factors are creating the perfect storm for the NHS.

“As a supplier of workforce management technology, while it is clear there are widespread staffing shortages, there is so much more the system could do to encourage the uptake of more innovative technologies that can help trusts plan their workforce needs and give current staff greater flexibility.”

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