Case Study: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust improves critical care continuity and junior doctor support with NHS Employers

The Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust - Customer Case Study

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a large NHS teaching trust, faced a significant projected increase in demand for its critical care services. The challenge was to expand service provision to meet this future demand, support gaps in the junior doctors' rota, and find a way to retain highly-skilled clinical staff. To address this, the trust worked with NHS Employers to implement a new workforce model centered on the role of Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCPs).

NHS Employers supported the trust in establishing a comprehensive program to recruit, train, and integrate ACCPs. The solution involved a rigorous new selection process, enrollment in specialized postgraduate degree programs, and the creation of a robust peer support and buddy system. As a result, the ACCPs became an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering senior-level care equivalent to mid-level doctors, greatly improving continuity of care, and providing vital support to the junior medical workforce. NHS Employers highlights that this investment created a consistent, highly-skilled team that improves patient safety and outcomes.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust