Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 2024/25 Ministerial Annual Report

Glossary Of Terms

HCSA/ “the Act”

Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 – legislation providing a statutory basis for appropriate staffing in health and care services.

Boards

Health Boards – A Health Board is a formal body, such as a statutory committee or a direct service provider, responsible for improving health and wellbeing, delivering NHS services, and reducing health inequalities in a local population.

RAG Status

A traffic-light system (Red, Amber, Green) used to indicate levels of assurance or compliance.

eRostering

An overarching term that encompasses the electronic rostering system and its associated modules used to manage staffing schedules and ensure appropriate staffing.

SafeCare

A module within the Allocate Optima system that supports real-time staffing decisions based on patient acuity.

Allocate Optima

NHS Scotland’s national eRostering software suite used to manage workforce deployment.

SSTS

Scottish Standard Time System – a system used for recording staff time and absence. The data captured feeds into the NHS payroll system and provides essential workforce information for management reporting.

TURAS

NHS Education for Scotland’s digital platform for learning and workforce development.

LearnPro

Online learning platform used for statutory and mandatory training in NHS Scotland.

CSM

Common Staffing Method – a structured approach to workforce planning using validated staffing level tools and professional judgement.

SLTs

Staffing Level Tools – specialty-specific tools used to calculate appropriate staffing levels.

SOPs

Standard Operating Procedures – documented processes to guide consistent practice.

PDP

Personal Development Plan – a tool used to support staff development and training.

PLT

Protected Learning Time – dedicated time allocated for staff training and development.

AfC

Agenda for Change – NHS pay system covering most staff except doctors, dentists, and senior managers.

RWW

Reduced Working Week – policy initiative to reduce contracted hours for AfC staff.

WTE

Whole Time Equivalent – a unit that indicates the workload of an employed person in a way that makes workloads comparable across various contexts.

HIS

Healthcare Improvement Scotland – the national improvement organisation for health and care services in Scotland.

NSS

NHS National Services Scotland – provides national strategic support services to NHS Scotland.

IJB

Integration Joint Board – responsible for planning and commissioning health and social care services.

ELC

Early Learning and Childcare – subcategory of Social Care.

Authorities

Refers to both Local and Integrated Authorities. Both are local bodies responsible for local service delivery including social care.

CI

Care Inspectorate – the independent regulator of social care and social work services in Scotland.

CPL

Continuous Professional Learning – term used to describe the training and workforce development of SSSC registered workforce.

SSP

Safe Staffing Programme – the Care Inspectorate team dedicated to work on the implementation of the Act.

SSSC

Scottish Social Services Council – regulates the social service workforce in Scotland.

SVQ

Scottish Vocational Qualification – the qualification level for several social care roles.

SACC

School Age Childcare – subcategory of Social Care.

NMT

National Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce – a Scottish Government initiative to improve Nursing and Midwifery workforce sustainability.

RLW

Real Living Wage – independently calculated based on the cost of living.

GP

General Practitioner – a medical doctor who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education.