NHS "lack of planning" over use of temporary nurses

Summary

Properly managed, the use of temporary nurses can play an important role in helping hospitals achieve flexibility. However their high use can have a detrimental impact on patient care and satisfaction.

In 2001, the Department of Health anticipated that a growth in the National Health Service (NHS) workforce would lead to a decline in the use of temporary staff but, in spite of this intention, temporary nurses still account for the same percentage of the nursing budget (around 9%).

This Report 'Department of Health: Improving the Use of Temporary Nursing Staff in the NHS Acute and Foundation Trusts' (HC 142) from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts examines the employment of temporary nursing staff throughout the NHS.

On the basis of a report by the National Audit Office 'Improving the Use of Temporary Nursing Staff in NHS Acute and Foundation Trusts' (HC 1179), the Committee has investigated the extent of the use of temporary nurses, whether the process is properly planned and managed, and whether there are safety and quality implications.

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Law-Making Explained

This is a House of Commons Paper (HC 142 2006-07): it is a Report from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts.

Find out more about Select Committees.

How does it affect me?

If you work in the NHS or as a temporary nurse, this affects you.

The Committee concludes that there has been a lack of planning and that only as a result of the problem with deficits has the NHS now taken a more coordinated approach.