The recruitment, retention and development of an Integrated Urgent Care telephone triage workforce: a small-scale study

Grimwood, Tom ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8099-6191 and Snell, Laura (2020) The recruitment, retention and development of an Integrated Urgent Care telephone triage workforce: a small-scale study. Journal of Integrated Care . Item availability may be restricted.

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Abstract

Purpose: NHS 111 is a non-emergency telephone triage service that provides immediate access to urgent care 24 hours a day. This study explored the recruitment, retention and development of one Integrated Urgent Care (IUC) workforce in England, specifically the NHS 111 service and Clinical Hub.

Methodology: An online survey was distributed to the NHS 111 and Clinical Hub workforce. The data from 48 respondents was summarised and analysed thematically.

Findings: The survey respondents held a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles within NHS 111 and the Clinical Hub. The findings indicate that the IUC workforce are motivated to care for their patients, and utilise a range of communication and cognitive skills to undertake their telephone triage roles. 67% of respondents indicated that their work was stressful, particularly the volume and intensity of calls. Although the initial training prepared the majority of respondents for their current roles (73%), access to continuing professional development varied across the workforce with only 40% being aware of the opportunities available. 81% of respondents stated that their shifts were regularly understaffed which indicates that the retention of IUC staff is problematic; this can put additional pressure on the existing workforce, impact on staff morale, and create logistical issues with managing annual leave entitlements or scheduling time for training.

Originality: This small-scale study highlights some of the complexities of telephone triage work and demonstrates the challenges for IUC service providers in retaining an appropriately skilled and motivated workforce.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Journal of Integrated Care
Publisher:	Emerald
ISSN:	2042-8685
Departments:	Health and Society Knowledge Exchange (HASKE) Institute of Health > Social Work, Children and Families
Depositing User:	Tom Grimwood
Date Deposited:	26 Nov 2020 14:04
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2024 11:46
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/5794