Debunking Myths About Temporary Healthcare Staff

​Introduction

Staffing shortages in care homes are a pressing issue, often exacerbated by factors like an aging population and high staff turnover rates. This poses significant challenges for managers and owners who struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of residents.

The consequences of these shortages can be dire, leading to increased workloads for existing staff, burnout, and compromised quality of care. Moreover, inadequate staffing can negatively impact residents' well-being and safety.

Addressing these shortages is crucial for maintaining the quality of care in care homes. Adequate staffing ensures that residents receive the attention, support, and medical assistance they require, promoting their overall health and quality of life. It also contributes to a positive work environment for staff, reducing turnover and ensuring continuity of care. Thus, addressing staffing shortages is essential for upholding the standards of care and ensuring the well-being of residents in care homes.

​

In a report by the King's Fund, the adult social care sector (2022/23) in England experienced a vacancy rate of 9.9%, surpassing both the NHS vacancy rate in England, which stood at 8%, and the broader UK vacancy rate, which was at 3.4%. Vacancies tend to be below average in local authority positions but exceed the average for roles facilitated via direct payments. In terms of service provision, vacancy rates are lower in residential care settings but notably higher in domiciliary care. Job-wise, managers and supervisors exhibit lower vacancy rates, whereas direct care workers and regulated professionals such as nurses and occupational therapists face higher rates of vacancies. Although there was a slight decline in the overall vacancy rate over the preceding year, it remains higher than every year since 2016/17.

​

​

Amidst this challenge, exploring alternative solutions becomes imperative. One such solution is the utilisation of temporary care staff. While temporary staffing may seem like a short-term fix, it presents numerous benefits that can alleviate the strain on care homes and ensure quality care for residents.

​

Common Misconceptions About Temporary Healthcare Staff

Misconception 1: Temporary healthcare staff are more expensive than permanent staff.

While it might seem that way on the surface, hiring temporary healthcare staff can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. For instance, temporary staff don’t require benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, or paid time off, which can significantly reduce costs for healthcare organisations. Additionally, temporary staff can be hired on an as-needed basis, preventing over staffing during slower periods and avoiding the need for layoffs during downturns in patient volume.

​

Misconception 2: Quality of care suffers when using temporary healthcare staff.

Quality of care is a top priority for healthcare organisations, regardless of staffing arrangements. Temporary healthcare staff are typically highly trained professionals who undergo rigorous screening and credentialing processes to ensure they meet the same standards as permanent staff. Many temporary healthcare professionals have years of experience across different healthcare settings, bringing a diverse skill set and fresh perspectives to the team.

​

Misconception 3: Continuity of care is compromised when using temporary healthcare staff.

While continuity of care is important, temporary healthcare staff can actually enhance continuity by providing coverage during times of staff shortages, holidays, or leaves of absence. Additionally, temporary staff can offer fresh perspectives and insights that contribute to the overall quality of care. Healthcare organisations can also foster continuity by ensuring effective communication and collaboration among temporary and permanent staff members.

​

Benefits of Temporary Healthcare Staff

In summary, the benefits include:

• Flexibility

• Specialised skills

• Immediate availability

• Cost-effectiveness

• Reduced burnout and turnover

• Diverse perspectives and ideas

​Strategies for Effective Integration of Temporary Staff

Integrating temporary staff into a care home team smoothly requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some practical tips and strategies for care home managers and owners:

​

Orientation and Training

Provide comprehensive orientation sessions and training for temporary staff to familiarise them with the care home's policies, procedures, and values. Ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities clearly.

​

Buddy System

Assign a permanent staff member as a buddy to each temporary staff member. This buddy can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support during the initial period of adjustment.

​

Clear Communication

Maintain open and clear communication channels with temporary staff. Clearly communicate expectations, schedules, and any changes in policies or procedures. Encourage them to ask questions and provide feedback.

​

Recognition and Appreciation

Acknowledge the contributions of temporary staff and recognise their efforts. This can be done through verbal appreciation, certificates of recognition, or small tokens of appreciation.

​

Feedback Mechanism

Establish a feedback mechanism where both temporary and permanent staff can provide feedback on their experiences and suggest improvements. This can help identify any issues early on and address them promptly.

​

Conclusion

In summary, hiring temporary healthcare staff can be a cost-effective solution that maintains or even enhances the quality and continuity of care provided to patients. By addressing misconceptions and leveraging evidence-based practices, healthcare facilities can effectively integrate temporary staff into their staffing models to meet patient needs while optimizing operational efficiency.

​

Nursingjobsuk

At Nursingjobsuk we have a well-established reputation for providing quality healthcare staff with robust compliance standards and 24-7 support from a network of resourcing specialists. We supply senior health care assistants, care assistants and support workers across the UK to cover everything from short terms sickness to longer term arrangements such as block bookings for ensuring continuity of care.  

Read what our clients say about our service here

​

We are proud to be Founder Members of the Care Workers Charity £500 Fundraiser initiative.

Who are The Care Workers Charity?

The Care Workers Charity was founded in 2009 with the promise to provide support to carers who find themselves facing the burden of economic hardship. Their mission is to “advance the financial, professional and mental wellbeing of social care workers by making grants, signposting resources and providing access to services.

​

​

​

To discuss your temporary staffing requirements, complete our form