Safety recommendation
HSSIB recommends that NHS England updates the agency worker framework agreement criteria to explicitly require framework agreements to adhere to the staff support principles of the NHS England Patient Safety Incident Response Framework. This will improve patient safety as there is a recognised link between staff having wellbeing concerns and the delivery of patient care.
Response:
This has been confirmed with NHS England and both the framework operators:
- The Workforce Alliance
- Health Trust Europe
A full list of NHS England approved framework agreements for the supply of temporary staffing can be found here.
Action planned to deliver safety recommendation:
- Update the framework approval application form for 2024, by September 2024.
Response received on 3 May 2024.