Workforce

Theme leader: Dr Diane Skåtun

This theme examines how financial and non-financial incentives and constraints influence the behaviour of the health care workforce.  New contracts have been introduced in recent years for many staff groups in the NHS including consultants, general practitioners and the nursing work-force. These contracts introduced changes to both pay and working conditions. 

The aim is to improve the evidence-base for policy-making through analysis of the factors determining the behaviour and performance of individuals in health care systems. The specific objectives of this theme are to:

• Examine the role of financial and non-financial incentives and constraints on the behaviour of the health care workforce, and
• Contribute to the evidence-base that informs policies designed to improve the delivery of care.

The main drivers of the theme's work are major government policies that are being implemented in order to change the behaviour of health care providers within the NHS.  Research topics include the influence of local labour market conditions on the NHS workforce; job satisfaction, working conditions, retirement plans and preferences for different aspects of jobs; and the impact of workforce organisation on patient care.