New report highlights excessive temporary staffing costs in maternity units

The NHS is spending too much on temporary staffing in maternity unit settings, according to a new report from the Royal College of Midwives.

After analysing spending trends covering maternity units in 98 percent of NHS organisations in the UK, it was found that NHS spending on midwifery agency, bank staff and overtime exceeded 97 million pounds in 2016.

A total of 26 NHS organisations spent more than one million pounds in this way last year, with nine organisations laying out more than two million pounds. The 97 million pound total is enough to pay for 2,731 full-time, experienced midwives, or 4,391 newly-qualified midwives.

This is despite the government placing a cap on agency spending in NHS trusts in England in 2015, and suggests that maternity units' reliance on temporary staffing is still growing, with underlying problems remaining unaddressed.

Jon Skewes, director for policy, employment relations and communications at the Royal College of Midwives, said: "The use of temporary midwives to staff permanent shortages is counter-productive and smacks of short-termism, when there needs to be sensible and strategic long term planning in midwifery and across the NHS."

With over 20 years of experience within the medical devices market, we at Zenopa have the knowledge, skills and expertise to help find the right job for you. To find out more about the current medical device roles we have available, you can search for the latest job roles, register your details, or contact the team today.