2023 Safe Staffing Levels

RJAH publishes the safe staffing levels across all of our inpatient areas in response to the Government's Hard Truths report. 

The report below shows each of the inpatient clinical areas within the hospital, and details the number of planned and actual hours worked by both registered and unregistered staff over the month, along with the average percentage fill rate. The ideal fill rate for each area is 100% and the majority of areas have either achieved or are very close to achieving this. However, as our patient numbers and their requirements for nursing care fluctuate, nurse staffing numbers are adjusted accordingly.

For those areas that are over the 100% threshold, this is generally due to increased ward dependency and the acuity of our patients that require closer support and observation. Areas that are under the 100% threshold, are closely monitored by the Matrons and Assistant Chief Nurses for each area, using Trust-wide patient safety and quality indicators. 

Staff are utilised flexibly on a shift-by-shift basis and are redeployed as needed to ensure patient safety and quality is maintained at all time. 

If you have recently been in an inpatient or have visited someone, you may have noticed that the ward displayed the numbers of staff on a board at the entrance to each ward. If you have any questions about this, please speak to the Ward Manager/Matron who will be happy to discuss further.

Alongside the Safe Staffing Levels, NHS England and NHS Choices will be publishing the Trust quality and safety indicators which are presented at the Board of Directors meeting.