Safe and Effective Staffing

Safe Staffing Levels

The Vesey maintains a documented minimum safe staffing establishment for all clinical services. Staffing levels are reviewed in advance of each clinic session. Cover arrangements are in place for planned and unplanned absences, including a named bank of qualified clinical staff. Where minimum safe staffing cannot be achieved, clinic sessions are modified or rescheduled in the interests of patient safety. The Safer Staffing Risk Assessment (TVH-RA-WRK-001) sets out our minimum staffing requirements and escalation processes.

Pre-Employment Checks — Regulation 19

All staff are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks in accordance with NHS Employment Check Standards 2023 and CQC Regulation 19. No member of staff commences employment until all required checks are complete and satisfactory.

• DBS checks: Enhanced DBS obtained for all clinical staff; standard DBS for administrative staff; renewal tracked and due dates monitored
• Professional registration: GMC, NMC, HCPC, GPhC — verified via official registers at appointment and annually; expiry dates recorded in staff register
• Right to work: Verified for all staff in accordance with UK employment law
• References: Minimum two satisfactory references obtained, including most recent employer, before employment begins
• Occupational health: Health declaration completed; clinical staff assessed for fitness to practise
• Barred list check: All staff checked against DBS adult and children's barred lists where relevant

Supervision and Appraisal

All clinical staff receive regular formal supervision. Supervision records are maintained for each member of staff and are available for inspection. Annual appraisals are conducted for all staff and include review of training compliance, clinical competencies, and career development. Where concerns are identified at supervision or appraisal, they are escalated to the Registered Manager and documented.

• GP and specialist supervision: as per GMC requirements and practicing privileges framework
• Annual appraisals: all clinical staff, tied to revalidation where applicable
• Supervision records: retained in individual staff files; available to CQC on request
• CPD: all registered clinicians maintain CPD records; GMC/NMC/HCPC requirements evidenced

Induction and Ongoing Competency

All new staff complete a structured induction programme before working independently. Induction covers: CQC standards and the Fundamental Standards, mandatory training modules, clinical policies and procedures, emergency procedures, information governance, and safeguarding. Completion of induction is documented and signed off by the Registered Manager. Competency assessments for clinical procedures are conducted by a senior clinical lead and retained in individual staff files.