Staffing and skills mix review
Health Boards should ensure that the staffing and skills mix is appropriate for each ward, and that it is reviewed in response to increases in the level of activity/patient acuity.
- The Scottish Government's response detailed the development and mandatory use of nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools across all NHS boards, addressing the need for appropriate staffing and skills mix.
- The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (provisions in force from 1 April 2024) places a statutory duty on NHS boards to ensure both appropriate numbers of staff and appropriate types of professions. Boards must use the 'common staffing method' and report quarterly to Scottish Ministers on staffing (Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2019/6)).
- This Act directly implements the principle that staffing and skills mix must be appropriate for each ward and reviewed in response to changes in activity and acuity.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 4.1 of the Scottish Government's response details the development and mandatory use of ground-breaking nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools across all NHS boards. These tools help determine the number of nurses or midwives needed by measuring actual workload in clinical areas, incorporating professional judgment and quality measures. This ensures appropriate staffing and skill mix, with action plans developed by boards to support their use and communicate outcomes.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 came into force 1 April 2024. Provides statutory basis for appropriate staffing including Common Staffing Method with mandatory staffing level tools for adult inpatient wards. Goes beyond what the inquiry recommended by putting safe staffing on a statutory footing.
View detailed findings
Legislation introduces the Common Staffing Method (CSM) as the overarching approach to staffing decisions. Ministerial Annual Report 2024/25 published. Clinical and care staffing levels must be reviewed in response to patient acuity changes.