The HCSSA seeks to enable safe high quality care and improved outcomes for service users by ensuring appropriate and effective levels of staffing for NHS Scotland and Care Service Providers. The Act came into enactment on 1 April 2024 and applies across healthcare and those who provide Clinical Advice and Care Services.
In the video below, staff from some of our healthcare disciplines talk briefly about what the Act means for them and their colleagues. Clinical and Care Staff should review and understand the guiding principles and consider the potential impact, which the video helps to outline. You can also complete the Informed Learning resource on Turas.
You can contact us at ggc.healthcare.staffing@nhs.scot
Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019
The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 was enacted in April 2024. It aims to provide a statutory basis for the provision of appropriate staffing in Health and Social Care services to support the delivery of safe and effective high-quality care. This will be achieved by having the right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time to improve outcomes for people using our services and improve staff wellbeing.
The Act does not prescribe health care staffing levels or planning and instead supports the development of suitable approaches in various health and social care settings.
The implementation of the Act will:
- Assure that staffing is sufficient to support the delivery of high-quality care
- Support a culture of honesty and transparency that engages health and social care staff in the relevant process and ensures they are informed regarding healthcare staffing decisions
- Support further improvements to enhance and strengthen current arrangements in healthcare staffing planning and employment practices
- Risk escalation and mitigation processes to enable health and social care staff to be heard at all levels to inform evidence-based healthcare staffing decision-making
- Ensure professional clinical advice is available when healthcare staffing risks are highlighted
What is the role of NHSGGC in the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019?
NHSGGC must:
- Have regard for the guiding principles:
- That the main purposes of staffing for health and care services are to provide safe and high-quality services and to ensure the best health or care outcomes for service users.
- That staffing for health and care services is to be arranged while:
- Improving standards and outcomes for service users;
- Taking account of the needs, abilities, characteristics, and circumstances of different service users;
- Respecting the dignity and rights of service users;
- Taking account of the views of staff and service users;
- Ensuring the wellbeing of staff;
- Being open with staff and service users about decisions on staffing;
- Allocating Staff efficiently and effectively;
- Promoting multi-disciplinary services as appropriate.
Further to this patient-facing clinical services are required to comply with :
- Duty to ensure appropriate staffing (overarching duty)
- Duty to ensure appropriate staffing –agency workers-
- Duty to have real-time staffing assessment in place
- Duty to have risk escalation in place
- Duty to have arrangements to address severe and recurrent risks
- Duty to seek clinical advice on staffing
- Duty to ensure appropriate staffing –number of Healthcare Professionals etc.)
- Duty to ensure adequate time given to clinical leaders
- Duty to ensure appropriate staffing – staff training
- Duty to follow the Common Staffing Method
NHS Scotland Boards and delivery partners must report annually to Scottish Ministers on how they have met the requirements in the legislation and support Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and the Care Inspectorate (CI), as required.
NHSGGC Delivery of HCSSA
NHSGGC agreed to be a ‘test board’ as part of Scottish Governments development of the legislation and its guidance, amongst other Health Boards. From September 2023, the Programmes focus was to review the Acts draft duties and guiding principles using SWOT analysis techniques, in multi-disciplinary teams across the Health Board and our 6 HSCP delivery partners. This was completed for the Acts guiding principles and the majority of the Duties within the Act. The multi-professional approach and preparation enabled the Board to establish evidence, for where we already had compliance with the Act and highlight key activities and actions to be delivered to improve the level of compliance.
As such, the Act was implemented maintaining the multi-disciplinary planning approach, taking the outputs from the testing of the duties, developed from recommendations into driver diagrams, to plan out the improvement activities required for compliance. These were translated into a list of actions, prioritised by assurance and risk rating, and assigned to a lead or short life working group.
We worked hard to deliver this in a way that had little as possible impact on “business as usual” work of our busy clinical colleagues, splitting the duties into separate working groups and meeting regularly to ensure multi professional input are considered and solutions reached by consensus, which was the core approach to this programme.
We continue to work cross-organisationally with our colleagues in other NHS Scotland boards to ensure we deliver the Act consistently across Scotland and build a supportive network of subject matter experts. We are committed to understanding the experiences of others and providing learning to everyone involved.
HCSSA Governance
Resources and Guidance
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) Resources
Scottish Government (SG) have published statutory guidance to accompany the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) in collaboration with SG have developed a series of Quick Guides to compliment the statutory guidance relating to NHS services.
The aim of these quick guides is to:
- Provide a quick and easy resource for staff to access
- Provide a simple explanation of parts of the legislation
- Provide practical examples and actions for boards and services
- You can also access the Health and Care Staffing Act Sway presentation which gives a concise overview of all parts of the Act
- Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
- NHSGGC HCSSA – What is a Quick Guide? (NHSGGC Video duration 4:36minutes)
- NHS GGC Staff Communication: Updates to National Staffing Level Tools
Care Inspectorate (CI) Resources
- Care Inspectorate – HCSSA Web Pages
- Care Inspectorate – HCSSA Short Guide
Scottish Government (SG) Resources
NHSGGC HCSSA Procedures
These are NHSGGC Procedures developed by a multi professional team for implementation to support compliance with the Act
- NHSGGC Real Time Staffing and Risk Escalation Standard Operating Procedure
- NHSGGC RTS Risk Escalation Template with Example
- NHSGGC Time to Lead Standard Operating Procedure
- NHSGGC Common Staffing Method Standard Operating Procedure
- NHSGGC Nursing and Midwifery Safe to Start In-Patient Hospital Services Process, VLog for reference
- NHSGGC Nursing and Midwifery Safe to Start Community Services Process
- NHSGGC Nursing & Midwifery SafeCare RTS & RE Standard Operating Procedure
NHSGGC Example SOPs and Case Studies
- NHSGGC Common Staffing Method Case Study Poster – Maternity Services
- NHSGGC Common Staffing Method Case Study VLog – Maternity Services
- NHSGGC RTS & RE – Nursing and Midwifery Inpatient Blueprint SOP
- NHSGGC RTS & RE Nursing and Midwifery HSCP Blueprint SOP
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP – Anaesthesia Dept, GRI
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP Case Study Poster – Anaesthesia Dept, GRI
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP Case Study VLog – Anaesthesia Dept, GRI
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP Case Study Poster – Anaesthesia and Critical Care
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP Case Study VLog – Anaesthesia and Critical Care
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP – Orthotics
- NHSGGC RTS & RE Case Study – Orthotics
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP – Orthotics
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP – Microbiology
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP Psychology
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP – Psychology
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP – Psychiatry
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP – Forensic Mental Health
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP – Court Residents On Call
- NHSGGC RTS & RE AHP Services SOP North Sector
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP – AHP OT & PT North Sector
- NHSGGC Time to Lead SOP Dietetics North Sector
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP Dietetics North Sector
- East Dun HSCP RTS & RE SOP – ACN
- Inverclyde HSCP RTS & RE SOP Children & Families
- NHSGGC RTS & RE SOP Acute Clyde AHP Service
Other Resources
If you would like an easy reference poster with a QR code for your Department, Ward or Team, please click on the link to download, share and print the HCSSA Poster.
Local Authority and Integration Authority HCSA Reporting FAQs
Quarterly Assurance Template for Teams and Departments
NHSGGC HCSSA Assurance Template Completion – VLOG
HCSSA Blog – The Value of Collaborative Support Across HSCPs
Watch this Vlog on one of our Early Adopter Services – NHSGGC Staff – HSCP Pharmacy SafeCare Experience VLOG
HCSSA VLOG – East Dunbartonshire HSCP RAG / RAGG
- Watch the VLOG here: East Dunbartonshire HSCP RAG / RAGG
- Overview of digital process created in East Dunbartonshire HSCP to collate and track Service RAG ratings and RTS RAGG ratings.
- Health and Care (Staffing)(Scotland) Act 2019 can be found here: Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019
- Statutory guidance can be found here: Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019: statutory guidance – gov.scot
- Any questions please email james.johnstone@nhs.scot
Education and Training for Staff – The Knowledge and Skills Framework
All staff must be aware of and understand the principles of the legislation and consider its impact on their responsibilities to:
- People who use the service
- Colleagues
- NHSGGC
- Where appropriate to their profession
Education must be completed at a level appropriate to role, with clinical leaders required to complete Skilled level education and all other staff completing Informed level education.
All staff are responsible for escalating any immediate healthcare staffing concerns to the senior person on duty.
Clinical leaders are responsible for supporting team understanding of health and care staffing and promoting open and transparent discussions about staffing decisions.
Please refer to all Quick Guides relating to the Act.
Please complete:
- Learning resources : Informed level | Turas | Learn
- Learning resources : Skilled level | Turas | Learn
For certain identified roles, it is also recommended to complete the expert level:
Frequently Asked Questions
- HCSSA AHP Frequently Asked Questions
- HCSSA HCS Frequently Asked Questions
- HCSSA Medical Frequently Asked Questions
- HCSSA Nursing and Midwifery Frequently Asked Questions
- HCSSA Pharmacy Frequently Asked Questions
- HCSSA – HealthCare Science Qtr Assurance Evidence Checklist
- HCSSA – Medical Qtr Assurance Evidence Checklist
- HCSSA – Medical Qtr Assurance Evidence Checklist – VLOG
- HCSSA – Presentation to Medical Wellbeing Meeting March25
- HCSSA – Nursing and Midwifery Qtr Assurance Evidence Checklist
- HCSSA Flyer for Medical Staff
Workforce Business Systems (RLD) Programme
Workforce Business Systems (RLD) Programme
One of the important workstreams supporting delivery of the HCSSA in our Board and across delivery partners, is the Workforce Business Systems (RLD) Programme, who are working towards successful deployment and safe operational delivery of several applications that constitute Workforce Business Systems.
These systems are Optima eRostering, SafeCare (for Real Time Staffing and Staffing Level Tools), BankStaff, LOOP, Allocate Rota, Allocate JobPlan and all related hosted technical infrastructure and integrations for these RL Datix applications with other workforce related systems (such as Payroll, eEES and Turas).
Governance for this programme are outlined in the documents below: –
https://www.nhsggc.scot/downloads/workforce-business-systems-rld-programme-organogram
Optima (eRostering)
Creates complex healthcare rosters via self or auto roster functionality. Enables end to end roster management and visibility. Will be replacing SSTS by March 2028. Live for Nursing and Midwifery in Early Adopter sites IRH and VOL. Moving next to RAH and broadinging out to other professional groups. Deployment plan coming soon!
Integrates with SafeCare, BankStaff and Loop. Optional interfaces available to integrate with Allocate Rota and Allocate JobPlan. Other functionality is still to be considered for use in our Board, these are; RP11- Reporting functionality focussed on roster performance; Activity Planner -allows scheduling of clinical activity, assigning a lead to activity and other supporting staff i.e. specialists.
NEWS – Roster Finalisation
As part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s ongoing governance improvements, the process for finalising both substantive and bank shifts is being updated:
What is Changing
Only Charge Nurses and above will be authorised to finalise all shift types for payment. Access for all other staff is being systematically removed, and some staff may already find they no longer have sign-off permissions. They will also now be required to tick the Counter Fraud Declaration whenever finalising with Optima (QRG Attached).
Why this change is being made
This update strengthens governance and ensures that shift authorisation is carried out by staff with appropriate seniority and oversight responsibilities.
When this takes effect
The change will be implemented by 1st December.
Exceptions
There may be exceptions identified in specific circumstances, such as administrative support. These must be agreed in advance via the relevant Sector/HSCP Chief Nurse prior to requesting via email to the CORE eRostering Team at ggc.coreerosteringteam@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Important Note
Please note that the deadline for finalising Substantive shifts is 11am every Monday and does not change the deadline of 12pm every Friday for finalising Bank shifts.
If you have any queries regarding the change in process, please contact the CORE eRostering Team directly on 0141 278 2999 or ggc.coreerosteringteam@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. We appreciate your continued cooperation during this transition.
To Support you with these changes the Quick Reference Guides have been updated to included review screenshots of how the process will now flow
eRostering (Generic) Demo with Voiceover
This presentation is designed to give you an overview of the three core applications that work together as part of the RLDatix rostering suite.
SafeCare
Following agreement by the Scottish Government, contracted hours for Agenda for Change staff in NHS Scotland will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours per week, effective 1 April 2026.
What is changing
To reflect the reduced working week, updates will be made to the Recommended Whole Time Equivalent Calculators in both SSTS and SafeCare staffing level tools.
When this will happen
The updates will be applied in advance of 1 April 2026 so that all staffing level tools reflect the new 36-hour working week from this date.
Why this is required
These changes ensure the staffing tools remain aligned with national policy and accurately calculate staffing requirements based on the updated contracted hours.
How this will be implemented
The Core eRostering team will update the SafeCare system in line with the guidance issued through the Health Care Improvement Scotland Healthcare Staffing Programme. Health Care Improvement Scotland will update SSTS. Once applied, all tool outputs will automatically reflect the revised working week.
SafeCare – Real Time Staffing and Risk Escalation Application
Nursing – RTS & RE SafeCare Process & Demo
NHSGGC Nursing & Midwifery SafeCare RTS & RE SOP
HCS – RTS & RE SafeCare Process & Demo
AHP – RTS & RE SafeCare Process & Demo
Pharmacy – RTS & RE SafeCare Process & Demo
Watch this Vlog on one of our Early Adopter Services – NHSGGC Staff – HSCP Pharmacy SafeCare Experience VLOG
Integrated acuity driven mobile staffing tool which compares staffing levels in real time (known as consensus period) to actual patient demand, transforming the daily staffing process to unblock productivity and safeguard safety. Provides Sunburst and Dashboard reporting for Senior Leaders.
SafeCare – Staffing Level Tools
A suite of staffing level tools is available to help NHS Scotland services plan the number of staff they need. The purpose of each tool is to provide information and recommendations on staffing levels based on workload. Predominantly for Nursing and Midwifery, with medical inclusion for Emergency Care. The tools are currently hosted in SSTS and are being transitioned to SafeCare starting in 2025 – 2026 and planned to be completed by March 2028.
HIS HSP Staffing Level Tool Monitoring and Development Oct25
Mental Health and Learning Disability Staffing Level Tool using SafeCare
From 3rd November to the 16th November, the Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Staffing Level Tool is running. This is hosted on the new SafeCare platform and the first to move from SSTS (however Professional Judgement is still required and via SSTS).
For more information , including training and education can be found via the Health and Care Staffing Team’s and Quality and Transformation Team’s SharePoint pages, links below.
BankStaff (Staff Bank)
The NHSGGC Staff Bank provides a comprehensive, flexible staffing solution to support services across Nursing & Midwifery, Medical, Facilities, AHP, Administration and Interpreting in response to both planned and unplanned workforce shortfalls.
Through a diverse and highly skilled temporary workforce, the service supports staffing requirements across hospital wards, outpatient clinics, health centres and community settings, helping to ensure continuity of service delivery and operational resilience.
Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Staff Bank plays a critical role in maintaining safe, effective and person-centred care across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Loop (Optima and BankStaff Users)
Communications app empowering staff to view and manage their working life. 24/7 access. Used with Optima and Bank Staff applications.
On the 30 April 2025, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will launch Loop, a communications tool supplied by RLDatix, which links to BankStaff and Optima (eRostering). Loop online booking App is being deployed to replace Employee Online (EOL) ahead of its decommission on the 31 October 2025. From this date any bank staff users will not be able to access EOL or related test services. Loop provides the same functionality as EOL as well as including some new features. Watch a Demo Here
A Quick Guide / Poster on Loop Use – Do’s and Dont’s
Further correspondence will be distributed in the coming days with additional information and user guides to provide guidance on how and when to set up and start using this App. Loop will initially be deployed to all Bank staff in the first instance (from 30 April 2025). Whilst Substantive staff can download the App, they will not be able to fully utilise the functionality until Optima is deployed (core rostering tool – a replacement for SSTS). The Optima implementation plan will be communicated to all staff in due course.
Key contacts
Staff Bank
- Email: staff.bank@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
- Phone: 0141 278 2555
Medical Staff Bank
- Email:ggc.medicalstaffbank@nhs.scot
- Phone: 0141 278 2671
Substantive Staff
- Email:ggc.coreerosteringteam@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
- Phone: 0141 278 2999
eJobPlan
Used for our Medical Consultant job planning, this tool facilitates job planning for consultants, speciality doctors and specialists.
Allocate Rota
Resident doctor rota building tool, creating compliant rotas. This will be the DRS replacement tool.
System under development and test during 2025. Anticipated live use in Quarter 1 2026 – 2027.
