Health and Care Staffing
The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 is a law that helps make sure that everyone in Scotland receives safe, high-quality care—whether in hospital, in a care home, or at home.
The Act makes it a legal requirement for health and care services to have the right number of staff, with the right skills, in the right places. It’s all about making sure staff are supported to do their jobs well, and that people using services are safe and well cared for.
What this means for Shetland
Services like care at home, care homes, and community health teams must plan their staffing carefully to meet people’s needs. The law aims to reduce risks by making sure there are enough trained staff to provide care safely. Care workers and nurses are encouraged to speak up if they have concerns about staffing, and those concerns must be taken seriously.
Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland work together as a Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to deliver community health and care services. They have a legal duty to make sure staffing decisions are based on evidence, planning, and what’s best for the people who use services. The Council and NHS Shetland must report on how they’re meeting these responsibilities.
Health and Care Staffing Annual reports
Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland publish annual Health and Care Staffing reports which provide information on their compliance with the duties of the Health and Care Staffing (Scotland) Act, including integrated Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) services.