Why we must value bank nurses

From next month, care providers in England will no longer be able to pay agency staff 55% more per shift than they would permanent staff.

The move is part of a government drive to reduce pressure on NHS finances by stopping agencies ‘ripping off’ the health service. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt’s words, not mine.

As the deadline for NHS trusts approaches, the National Audit Office (NAO) is demanding more national leadership to tackle shortfalls in staffing. Arrangements for managing staff supply are ‘fragmented and do not represent value for money’, the NAO concludes.

The RCN supports the call for stronger top-down control of workforce planning, with head of policy Howard Catton saying: ‘The responsibility for workforce supply is ultimately a political one.’

The RCNi Nurse Awards recognise the vital and ever-increasing contribution bank nurses make to the nursing workforce every day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, he also refutes claims that agency nurses are ‘exploiting’ the NHS: ‘Until the NHS truly values its permanent nursing staff, pays them fairly and offers them the flexible working conditions their family lives require, it will remain unsurprising that some nurses decide to work for agencies.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is unfair to blame funding problems on agency staff, but one way to tackle overstretched resources could be to value the role of bank nurses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one reason why the RCNi Nurse Awards 2016 feature a bank nurse category. Sponsored by NHS Professionals, this award recognises the vital and ever-increasing contribution bank nurses make to the nursing workforce every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The judges are seeking nominations for bank nurses and bank nursing teams who perform above what is considered the ‘norm’, and who add value to substantive teams. With just a few days to go until the closing date for entries, it’s time to think about how we can show our appreciation for this valuable nursing resource.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For information about the criteria, go to RCNi Nurse Awards judging process and criteria.