One in five bank and agency healthcare workers have raised concerns about patient safety in NHS hospitals and clinics, according to a new report from Acacium Group and nursing charity Cavell.
The white paper, Shaping safer health systems through the experience of the flexible workforce, draws on more than 4,000 responses from flexible staff. It found that 65% of respondents cited workforce shortages as their biggest safety concern, while nearly a quarter disagreed that staffing levels were sufficient to maintain safe care.
The findings come as the NHS faces pressure to cut agency spend under the government’s 10-Year Health Plan.
Other results showed that 6% of respondents said patient safety was not prioritised in their workplace, and 11% were considering leaving the sector, citing conditions, pay and burnout.
Alex Ryan, group director of service development at Acacium Group, said: ‘Frontline professionals are often the first to notice when safety is compromised. The flexible workforce step in during critical moments and their insights are vital to shaping safer systems. Ignoring their voices risks undermining the very care reforms we aim to achieve, and with more than 10% considering leaving the sector the pressure on our healthcare system will only get worse.’
Lewis Allett, chief executive of Cavell, said: ‘Patient safety relies on worker safety. When professionals are burnt out or unsupported, care can suffer. This report is a call to action to protect both.’
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