Russells Hall Hospital bid to cut agency staff spend in app pilot
A Black Country hospital will allow NHS workers to fill empty shifts through a new app as part of a trial aiming to reduce reliance and spend on agency staff.
Thousands of doctors, midwives and nurses will be able to sign up to work extra hours at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley using the technology and some could be paid for their time within just 24 hours.
The scheme, funded by the Department for Health and Social Care, hopes to improve flexible working for NHS staff and help hospitals respond better to increased demand.
The Dudley Group NHS Trust, which runs Russells Hall, is among several trusts to have been selected for the trial.
Hospital trusts in the Black Country have spent millions of pounds on drafting in temporary workers in recent years to help them cope with increased demand and staff sickness.
It was revealed last week that a locum doctor was paid almost £200 an hour for a week’s work at Russells Hall and health chiefs have been keen to cut spend on agency workers.
The trust said the move would help the fill shifts and benefit staff and patients.
Chief executive Diane Wake said: “We are thrilled to be chosen as one of the first pilot trusts working to improve the way we engage with temporary staff and encourage people to join our bank.
“Part of the pilot will review the web-based app that allows our employees working on the bank, to access real time information about shifts available, as well as developing a quicker payment route for staff.
"Recruitment and retention of our staff is a top priority for us to enable us to have a stable workforce delivering first class patient care.”
Health minister Stephen Barclay said: “This innovative trial is a win-win for everyone - it helps staff provide more consistent care for patients and gives them the flexibility they want in choosing their working patterns. It will also help the NHS reduce its reliance on expensive agency staff.”
More than 100,000 healthcare professionals are currently signed up to “banks”, the central systems run by trusts which allow employees to sign up for extra shifts on top of normal hours.
The new trial will run through banks at 15 trusts, with many enabling staff to use apps on their phones to receive notifications when shifts become available and sign up to work instantly.
Those who work extra shifts will be offered the option of being paid weekly and some trusts will allow staff to opt-out of pension arrangements so they can be paid more for additional work.
