NHS England has released new guidance for all inpatient trusts across the country, focusing on the implementation and use of Care Hours Per Patient Day (CHPPD). This national directive is designed to assist trusts in consistently measuring and managing staffing levels in adult acute and mental health inpatient settings, ultimately aiming to enhance patient safety and the quality of care provided.
CHPPD is a metric that quantifies the total hours of direct care delivered to patients by both registered nurses and care support workers over a 24-hour period. By standardising how this data is collected and utilised, NHS England hopes to provide a clearer picture of staffing adequacy and facilitate more informed decision-making regarding workforce deployment. The guidance emphasises the importance of a multi-professional approach to staffing, acknowledging that a range of healthcare professionals contribute to patient care.
The move follows ongoing efforts to address staffing challenges within the NHS and builds upon recommendations from various reviews and reports that have highlighted the critical link between appropriate staffing levels and positive patient outcomes. Historically, staffing models have varied across different trusts and specialties, leading to potential inconsistencies in care provision. This new guidance seeks to introduce a more unified approach.
For trusts, the guidance provides a framework for data collection, analysis, and reporting of CHPPD. It encourages a proactive approach to workforce planning, enabling trusts to identify areas where staffing may need to be adjusted to meet patient needs more effectively. The ultimate goal is to move towards a system where staffing levels are consistently optimised to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care.
The implementation of this guidance is expected to support trusts in their ongoing efforts to recruit and retain staff, as a clearer understanding of required care hours can inform workforce planning and development strategies. It also aims to foster greater transparency and accountability in staffing decisions, with the potential to improve public confidence in the safety and quality of inpatient services.