NHS hospitals heavily reliant on locum doctors charging up to £850 per shift ... trends now
Hospitals which rely heavily on locum doctors are 'undoubtedly' risking patient safety, a study of NHS practice found.
While temporary staff are a 'vital resource' to plug workforce gaps, issues such as unfamiliarity with protocols and procedures mean they 'pose significant patient safety challenges' for the NHS, experts say.
The report warned many were left feeling isolated and stigmatised by resident staff, creating a 'hostile environment'.
This has led to a 'defensive' culture over mistakes, hindering improvements to care, according to researchers.
Calling for greater monitoring by inspectors, NHS leaders must rethink how these professionals are supported and used, the authors said.
While temporary staff are a 'vital resource' to plug workforce gaps, issues such as unfamiliarity with protocols and procedures mean they 'pose significant patient safety challenges' for the NHS
Researchers from the University of Birmingham wanted to examine whether locum working arrangements impact on patient safety or quality of care.
They interviewed locum doctors, agencies, permanently employed doctors, nurses and patients in primary and secondary care settings between March 2021 and April 2022, in what has been described as the most extensive study of its kind.
Temporary doctors described how they often worked in unfamiliar environments, sometimes with minimal induction and varying levels of support.
They admitted unfamiliarity, a lack of access to, or other restrictions on computer systems, policies, procedures and buildings meant that they were not always able to do their job safely, productively, or effectively.
Respondents said high levels of locums was detrimental to quality of care and safety.
They were more likely to have their clinical competence questioned and disempowered to make decisions, the focus groups and surveys found.
Meanwhile, other staff felt that some locums were simply avoiding work and evaded responsibility for patients by pushing work onto others or into the future.
Departments that were
