App launched to help nurses raise patient safety concerns

Unison Scotland has launched a free app for nurses to raise concerns about patient care via their smartphones or tablets.

The Duty of Care app allows nurses and healthcare assistants to register their concerns about, for example, reduced staffing levels, lack of equipment, care left undone and violence in the workplace, directly with NHS employers.

The app then automatically sends a report by email to Unison and to the staff member’s local director of nursing.

The launch of the app follows Unison’s 2016 survey of nursing and midwifery members, which reveals:

• 63% of members said there were too few staff on shift to deliver safe, compassionate, dignified care.
• 86% said care had been left undone.
• 36% said they had worked through their own breaks or after hours to provide essential care.

Confidence

Unison Scotland nursing and midwifery committee chair Gordon McKay said: ‘I know from speaking to Unison members across our NHS that many have lost confidence in the current reporting system because nothing ever seems to change.

‘Unison’s app will give members the tools to quickly and efficiently report their concerns to their local director of nursing and with their union, Unison.’

Unison’s regional organiser Matt McLaughlin said: ‘Under the NMC Code, registered nurses have an obligation to raise concerns when they think patient safety has been compromised. 

‘But nursing assistants and health care support workers should feel free to express concerns about patient safety as well – they are after all part of the healthcare team.’

Policies and procedures

Unison said the app is not a replacement for reporting systems, and encouraged members to comply with their employers’ policies and procedures to report professional and clinical concerns.

The app is available on iTunes and Google Play.