Agency Nurses - FOI Response Register

Please can you provide me with the Information below?

1. From 1st January 2023 to 28th February 2023, please list the wards/departments you have requested shifts for off framework agencies in your Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Community Hospitals?

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested.

2. From 1st January 2023 to 28th February 2023 have you requested shifts for off framework agencies in your UTC/UCC/MIU?

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

3. Please provide me with the name, contact number & email address of the person responsible for agreeing temporary nursing agency contracts for your Trust?

The service manager (budget holder) for each department is responsible for arranging and authorising agency cover - there isn’t one person in the Board who has this responsibility. Rates are usually agreed as part of the national tendering exercises carried out by NHS National Services Scotland (national contracts). Off contract rates are approved at Director level.

4. Please provide a list of off-framework agencies used by the trust in the past 3 months

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. How much was your Off-Framework agency spend for each of the following staff groups between January 1st 2023 – March 10th 2023 (a) RGN’s (b) RCN’s (c) RMN (d) ITU Nurse  (e) A&E Nurse (f) HCA (g) CPN

See response to Q4.

6. How much was your off framework spent for (a) Urgent Treatment Centre (b) Urgent Care Centre (c) Minor Injuries Unit?

NHS Shetland is small rural health board with only one hospital and does not use this division of services.