How to Staff effectively for the Winter
Winter brings a surge in healthcare demands, challenging care providers to maintain high-quality service amidst rising staff absences, which have sharply increased from the pre-pandemic norm of 5% to current rates of 8% or more according to NHS Confederation. To navigate these seasonal hurdles and the complexities introduced by the pandemic, care providers must adopt innovative and strategic staffing approaches.
Many digital platforms to book your staffing exist but none as simple or intuative as Staffscanner’s platform. We always say that we are the caretakers of the platform, it is indeed the experienced Care Staff, our valued clients and growing community that really own the app and it’s development.
We collect constant feedback from our community of 38,000 Cares and Nurses for improvements and are consulted by our platform product specialists to ensure that the app development is aligned with their expectations.
Key steps care providers can implement to ensure effective staffing during the winter months
1. Leverage Digital Platforms
Utilize our user-friendly digital platform to quickly fill staffing vacancies with qualified healthcare professionals who are ready to step in on short notice.
2. Plan Ahead for Absences
Anticipate higher absence rates and arrange for standby staff to ensure uninterrupted care for patients.
3. Empower Your Staff
Encourage staff to take ownership of their schedules by choosing shifts that fit their availability, promoting a healthier work-life balance and reducing burnout.
4. Maintain a Flexible Pool of Part-Time Workers
Build a reserve of part-time or per-diem workers who can be called upon during peak times.
5. Implement a Reliability Scoring System
Adopt a reliability score for staff to incentivize consistent attendance and reward reliability.
6. Cross-Train Employees
Ensure staff members are cross-trained in different roles to cover a broader range of responsibilities when short-staffed.
The Innovative Edge of Our Platform
With less than a 1% cancellation rate, our platform’s success is testament to its efficacy. We empower our candidates to apply directly to shifts, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability. The introduction of a reliability score within our app further incentivizes attendance, directly correlating with their professional reliability and commitment.
