The decision to use agency nurses often involves a complex interplay of factors, including temporary staffing needs, fluctuations in patient volume and budget constraints. Investing in more permanent nursing positions may require long-term financial commitments and structural changes within healthcare systems. Balancing immediate staffing needs with strategic investments in nursing is definitely a challeging task for healthcare administrators.
We could fill three quarters of NHS nursing vacancies in England with the BILLIONS of pounds that hospitals have spent on agency staff between 2020-2022. Agency costs spiralled by 63% between 2020 and 2022, with staff working temporary shifts whilst patient demand has rocketed. Poor government planning has resulted in expensive short-term fixes instead of long-term solutions. This should be a wake up call for ministers to properly fund the nursing profession. Read the findings from our Freedom of Information request here: https://bit.ly/3Ndymya