**NB NHS England is now hosting a training webinar from 10am – 11.30am on November 30 for the tool. To join, visit the link or for more information please contact sherin.jacob1@nhs.net
An updated version of the Safer Nursing Care Tool (SNCT) for Adult Inpatient Wards and Adult Assessment Units has now been released – supporting chief nurses to determine the number of nurses needed to deliver safe, effective care together with professional judgement. Developed by the Shelford Group chief nurses, endorsed by NICE and supported by NHS England, the Adult Inpatient Wards and Acute Assessment Units Safer Nursing Care Tools calculate nurse staffing requirements based on patients’ needs (acuity and dependency).
The refreshed version of the tools incorporate updated patient levels of care descriptors, aligned to refreshed nursing resource multipliers. They provide for traditional ward layout with a separate section for single roomed wards as well as levels of care for one-to-one care and two-to-one care. They are part of a suite of SNCT tools including those for children and young people’s wards, emergency departments and mental health settings. The Chief Nursing Officer for England’s Safer Staffing team also provide training in the implementation and practical application of the suite of tools to ensure they are consistently applied across the NHS, alongside their wider package of support and guidance to support evidence-based decision-making on safe and effective staffing.
In February 2019 a ‘CNO Safer Staffing Fellowship Programme’ was also launched by NHS England in collaboration with the Shelford Group to equip individuals from across the NHS with specialist knowledge and skills to plan and implement evidence-based staffing programmes for a variety of clinical specialties. This programme is now accredited as a MSc in Workforce Planning, development and assurance. Cohorts 12 and 13 of the Fellowship are due to commence in March 2024.
The Safer Nursing Care Tools (SNCT) are free to use by NHS trusts in England.
All those Trusts requiring the new tool need to apply via Imperial College at: https://www.innovahealthtec.com/licence-products
Trusts who already have a valid licence will be sent the tool, otherwise they will be sent a licence to sign off before receiving it.
Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:
“Safe and effective staffing remains high on my agenda and it is crucial that senior nurses have the tools and support they need to plan, calculate and deliver staffing requirements. The Safer Nursing Care Tools are an important resource to ensure evidence-based approaches to staffing decisions and I am delighted that this update will further add to the package of support we have available to help improve outcomes for patients.”
Janice Sigsworth, Chief Nurse at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chair of the Safer Nursing Care Tool steering committee, said:
“Having the right nurse staffing levels is fundamental to providing safe and high-quality patient care, as well as creating a positive work practice environment for staff. The Safer Nursing Care Tools already underpin the way in which NHS trusts plan their nursing workforce needs and the updated adults inpatient wards and acute assessment unit tools reflect the changing needs of our patients.”