WIREDGOV

An article published in the Evening Standard last week again highlights poor locum screening and induction processes are continuing to put patients at risk.

The article ’Baby had meningitis but locum said he was teething’ shows fears continue to grow about such incidents of unqualified locums treating patients, despite Government calls for enhanced procedures and uniformity in screening standards across the health service.

To maintain patient safety, employee inductions should always be paired with skills screening, which assesses locums and clinical staff on their appropriate language skills and clinical competencies.

At LSN, we have developed a solution which allows HR staff to organise the induction and screening of all new NHS clinical staff through a central system. By taking the entire employee screening and induction process online, Trusts will be able to manage and control the intake of new locums, permanent employees and temporary staff in a fail-safe, cost-effective and time-efficient way.

The Induction Academy has been developed in close collaboration with Mr Neil Machlachlan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist of the Jersey Health and Social Services department, and has been successfully launched in Jersey General Hospital.

“The provision of safe healthcare is a priority for all those involved in its delivery, but external pressures such as the EWTD and staff recruitment problems have meant an increasing reliance on locum doctors up and down the country, with the more isolated units particularly feeling the pressure,” says Mr. Neil MacLachlan.

“The LSN Jersey Induction Academy allows locums to match their competencies with the advertised post, and makes their referees more accountable, as they must see and sign the submitted competency assessment beside the job description prior to commencement of duties.”

The Induction Academy Model is available to NHS Trusts across the country.

> Download the Induction Academy brochure

> Request a demonstration