D I S S E C T I N G B U S I N E S S

However , a problem that isn ’ t being discussed enough is recruitment delays .

HR professionals have disclosed that their organisations lack a clear and efficient process for conducting these checks .

Certainly , the significance of appropriate identity verification and authentication cannot be overstated ; they prove an individual ' s identity and mitigate the risk of hiring someone impersonating someone else . However , the prevailing way to verify an identity requires the presentation of original documents and an in-person meeting . This archaic practice remains a fundamental part of the hiring process in healthcare , even in cases of simple staff relocations between hospitals .

Recruitment delays affecting staff morale

These recruitment delays pose a significant obstacle for healthcare organisations setting off a chain reaction that disrupts the onboarding process for new hires . This issue is especially pronounced in an industry where employees frequently shift between roles , trusts , and hospitals .

Jonathan Evans , UK Country Manager at Digidentity

The ramifications of these challenges are farreaching , impacting not only the welfare of staff and patients but also the overall operational effectiveness of healthcare institutions .

These delays are putting strain on healthcare staff , affecting their morale , which in turn may affect patient care .

Types of delays

There are many consequences of recruitment delays in healthcare . One significant challenge arises from the time-consuming nature of on-boarding new staff . Legislative changes made in October 2022 that permit UK organisations to outsource digital Right to Work checks for British and Irish citizens to government-certified Identity Service Providers , have helped .

However , some argue that the legislation doesn ’ t go further enough and adoption hasn ’ t been universal meaning the process remains sub-optimal in terms of speed and cost . In fact , our research shows that more than a third of healthcare recruitment and

Data from our healthcare survey indicates widespread recognition of these difficulties among healthcare decision-makers . An overwhelming majority ( 97 %) acknowledge the prevalence of recruitment delays in the sector , with a similarly high number ( 98 %) highlighting the negative consequences of these delays .

Ultimately , these delays lead to significant understaffing , resulting in a decrease in morale , productivity , and higher employee turnover . Addressing these issues is paramount for ensuring the health and efficiency of the healthcare system .

A costly strain

The impact of recruitment delays extends beyond morale and patient care , exerting a significant financial burden on healthcare organisations as well . Our data shows that each organisation faces an average annual expenditure of £ 544,000 on locums and overtime shifts to mitigate workforce gaps .

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