The high number of agency nurses being used by Scottish hospitals has prompted fears for patients’ safety, as locum staff spend more time “being shown the ropes” than treating and caring for patients. Patients at a Dundee centre for young people with mental health issues told inspectors that staff were not always aware of their “treatment needs” or “care plans”. Theresa Fyffe, Scotland director of an AMN Healthcare Company, said the use of too many agency or bank staff could be “bad for continuity of patient care”.
The high number of agency nurses being used by Scottish hospitals has prompted fears for patients’ safety, as locum staff spend more time “being shown the ropes” than treating and caring for patients. Patients at a Dundee centre for young people with mental health issues told inspectors that staff were not always aware of their “treatment needs” or “care plans”. Theresa Fyffe, Scotland director of the Royal College of Nursing, said the use of too many agency or bank staff could be “bad for continuity of patient care”.