Agency Nurses - FOI Response Register

Please note NHS Shetland publishes information regarding its agency spend here as it becomes available: https://www.shb.scot.nhs.uk/board/procurement.asp

1. In the last 60 days how many hours has your trust utilised Scottish Nursing Guild for agency nurses?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as our systems do not capture this information.

2. In the last 60 days which wards, departments were these Scottish Nursing Guild requests for?

See response to Q1.

3. Please can you confirm how many nursing shifts have been filled by Scottish Nursing Guild?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as our systems do not capture this information.

4. In the last 60 days has your Trust utilised any other off framework provider for agency nurses? If yes, please name these providers.

With regards to data from January 2023 and before then in accordance with FOISA s 16(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it holds the information requested but that it is exempt from disclosure under FOISA s 25(1) as the information requested is accessible without submitting a request under FOISA s 1(1). The information you have requested is available here:

https://www.shb.scot.nhs.uk/board/procurement.asp

Temporary Worker – Agency / Direct Engagement

With regards to February and March data which will be published at the above address then in accordance with FOISA s 16(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it holds the information requested but that it is exempt from disclosure under FOISA s 27(1) as the information is already intended for publication by NHS Shetland within twelve weeks of when your request was made.

The application outweighs the public interest in disclosure as NHS Shetland regularly publishes detailed information regarding its agency spend there as it becomes available. NHS Shetland began publishing this information as part of our proactive publication efforts to make detailed information regarding spending on agency workers available to the public without the need to submit an FOI.

5. Please can you confirm how many shifts have been released/allocated to off framework agencies within the last 60 days?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as our systems do not capture this information.

6. In the last 60 days which wards, or departments were these off framework requests for?

See response to Q5.

7. Please can you confirm how many nursing shifts have been filled by off framework agencies within the last 60 days?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as our systems do not capture this information.

8. How many long-term lines of work or block bookings are currently being supplied by off framework agencies?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as our systems do not capture this information.

9. Which off framework agencies is the trust currently utilising for Nursing vacancies and what is the spend on these agencies year to date?

See response to Q4.

10. What is the average charge for both RMN’s and RGN’s from off framework agencies?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as our systems do not capture this information.

11. Who at director level is responsible for patient safety and staffing levels?

All Directors have this responsibility to patient safety and staffing levels. In the Acute sector it would be Kathleen Carolan, (Director of Nursing and Acute Services) however Edna Mary Watson (Chief Corporate Nurse) is leading the work around safer staffing legislation and implementation.