An investigation led by Dr Lindsay Reid, a former clinical research fellow at the College, has highlighted differences between weekday and weekend multiprofessional staffing levels, which may have implications for the delivery of a safe and effective seven-day NHS service. The study was commissioned by the College and the Scottish Government.
Commenting on the study, College President, Professor Derek Bell OBE said:
“While not all services need to be available 24/7, we must assess how all services interact as we plan the delivery of care to ensure that patients receive the best quality care whenever they require it.
“This study is a useful addition to the debate around the provision of care throughout the full week, and we recognise the need to increase the provision of allied care professionals as well as other staff at the weekend to maintain healthcare standards.
“A truly seven-day NHS must be implemented across the whole system of care with adequate support for all healthcare professionals to manage their workloads at any time throughout the full week. This will ensure continuity of care at the highest possible level across the week and at weekends.”
