More managers to handle admin could free up nurses’ time – report
Posted 09 June 2023 - 12:28
Think tank sets out measures to address the ‘deep workforce crisis’ in the NHS, which also include pay reform and long-term workforce planning
More managers in the NHS could help free up nurses’ time and ease the ‘deep workforce crisis’, according to a new report.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said health and social care staff would have more time to care for patients if managers could take on more administrative work.
Report estimates 10,000 missing managers
The think tank’s report, published on 8 June, sets out a number of steps to address staffing pressures including increasing the number of managers in health and social care services. It suggests there are 10,000 missing managers in front-line hospital and community settings.
The IPPR highlighted that the UK’s spend on healthcare administration was less than neighbouring countries at 2p in the pound, compared with 5p in Germany and 6p in France.
‘Staff are crying out for a long-term solution’
‘The NHS is facing a triple threat of soaring demand, staff sickness and low pay, and NHS staff are crying out for a long-term solution, and less short-term politics,’ said head of the IPPR’s commission on health and prosperity Chris Thomas.
‘There is no one quick fix to solving the healthcare workforce crisis, but more managers are crucial to freeing up the time of doctors, nurses and other professionals to do the caring.’
Think tank highlights urgent need to address pay
The report calls for a ‘circuit breaker’ to end a ‘vicious cycle’ of workforce issues, which should include pay restoration, reform of pay review processes, a substantial increase in social care pay, and a programme to ‘get the basics right’ on working conditions.
It also calls for a shift from reactive workforce policy to long-term workforce planning and an increase in support for unpaid carers.
Personal assistants might be the answer, says professor
University of Surrey professor of health services research and nursing Jill Maben said that while nurses need support with administrative work, more managers might not necessarily be the answer, and instead a PA might be more appropriate.
‘We know a massive burden for nurses is staying behind to do paperwork, which often is an add-on after shifts because patient care is prioritised, and time is not always provided for this extra work.
‘Good support is key – lots of people wouldn’t expect to do their jobs at other organisations without professional services, administrative support and, quite frankly, a personal assistant. Nurses get none of that.’
The government has said the much-anticipated NHS workforce plan for England will be published ‘shortly’, with some expecting that the document’s publication will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the NHS in July.
Read the Institute for Public Policy Research report
Finding hope: The final report of the IPPR health and care workforce assembly
In other news