This HR Roundup for December 2023 explores HR plans for 2024 in order to improve leader and management development as well as better utilising HR software to improve processes. In addition, the release of the results of The National Care Awareness Survey 2023 reveals concerns in the care sector, emphasising the need for better wellbeing and development support. The closure of teledentistry company SmileDirectClub in early December also posed issues that dental practices may face to manage patient expectations amid treatment disruptions.
HR Roadmap for 2024
Healthcare organisations in the UK are expected to face several HR challenges in 2024. According to a report by Gartner, the top HR challenges in the healthcare industry include leader and manager development, organisational culture, HR technology, change management, and career management.
The report also highlights that employee experience will take centre-stage for HR as many elements of the employee-employer relationship turn rocky, such as struggling management due to increased workloads, and unclear career progression for employees. HR leaders hope to reinvigorate trust and engagement while settling the organisation into new work norms.
To prepare for these challenges, healthcare organisations can take several steps:
Leader and manager development programs
One solution is to invest in leader and manager development programs. HR teams can help managers juggle their responsibilities by resetting expectations, rebuilding the manager pipeline, rewiring manager habits, and removing process hurdles. Training is a large part of this, and it can be delivered through various methods such as workshops, mentoring, coaching, or online training courses.
HR Technology
HR technology is another area that healthcare organisations can focus on. Organisations and HR leaders need an evaluation framework to assess which HR tech to adopt and ask key questions around compliance, and staff management. Agilio Software offers a range of HR software solutions tailored to small healthcare practices, including iTeam, TeamNet, and myhrtoolkit. These products help healthcare organisations manage core staff admin processes effortlessly, reducing the burden on teams and allowing them to prioritise patient care.
By taking these steps, healthcare organisations can ensure the well-being of their employees and the fiscal integrity of healthcare systems.
The impact of strikes in healthcare
The strikes in December by junior doctors in the UK has raised concerns over patient safety and the quality of care provided by the National Health Service (NHS). The strike, which is the longest in NHS history, has led to tens of thousands of patients having their care cancelled or rescheduled. The strike also comes at an already-challenging time, with rising levels of flu, norovirus, and Covid in hospitals, coupled with increased staff absences, posing serious risks to patient safety.
The following suggestions could help healthcare organisations mitigate growing concerns over patient safety during this time, such as:
- Continuous communication: Maintaining transparent and continuous communication with both medical staff and patients is crucial. Keeping everyone informed about the situation, potential delays, and contingency measures can help manage expectations and reduce anxiety.
- Preparedness for risks: Despite the challenges, healthcare organisations should be well-prepared to mitigate risks during the strike. Extensive planning and coordination are necessary to ensure the safety of patients, especially those in need of emergency care.
- Look for alternative solutions: While strikes are ongoing, healthcare employers can explore alternative solutions to maintain essential services and minimise disruptions. This may involve redistributing tasks among available staff or implementing contingency plans, such as hiring temporary cover staff.
National Care Awareness Survey findings
UK Care Week released their National Care Awareness Survey 2023 findings in December, from responses given by social care professionals within the UK. It provided some key insights into the industry and those who work in it and highlighted growing positives as well as critical issues within the social care sector.
Survey results showed that only 46% of respondents were satisfied with their salary, and only 76% plan to stay within the care sector within the next year. These types of statistics underpin one of the most key findings from the survey; only 59% of the care professionals surveyed feel supported by the social care system.
So, what actions can employers and managers in the care sector take from these findings?
- Provide wellbeing support: the fact that many care professionals feel they are unsupported by the sector could be due to their current health and wellbeing. Ensuring that employees have access to support such as from managers as well as any mental health or wellbeing provisions available is key to improving support within this industry.
- Invest in technology: Employers can invest in technology to help care professionals meet the evolving needs of individuals while ensuring the provision of high-quality, accessible, and person-centred care. Examples of this include robust staff management systems for team leaders, and training systems to provide staff development opportunities.
What to do when a partner group goes bankrupt
SmileDirectClub, a teledentistry company based in the US but with customers in the UK, announced its sudden closure in December 2023. This left many patients without their teeth aligners that they had ordered and paid £1000s for, and “in the lurch” with their treatment plans disrupted or stopped altogether.
As a result, many customers have had to pivot to other dentistry solutions to address these issues. This may mean that dental practices will have to manage their patients’ expectations for the treatment going forward, as alternative options may be more costly or longer-term than originally expected. Whilst patient satisfaction is important, it is more important to consider the best approach to their dental health, and so dental practices must be prepared to outline the best solutions for their patients, even if these differ from expected.
