As winter approaches, the healthcare sector—especially the NHS and care homes—must brace for increased health and social care demand due to seasonal illnesses. Concerns are increasing about an impending Quadrupledemic (RSV, flu, Norovirus, and a new COVID-19 variant), which poses a significant risk to the most vulnerable populations.

According to a doctor, up to 10,000 Brits a day are getting a new variant of coronavirus called XEC, a mixture of the Delta and Omicron strains, while the UK is also expecting a significant rise in flu and RSV cases¹. 

The importance of healthcare staff training

It’s vital that all permanent and temporary staff are properly trained to meet the specific challenges of the Quadrupledemic. This includes understanding the varying symptoms and treatment protocols for RSV, flu, norovirus and COVID-19, focusing on infection control measures and patient care protocols.

Upskilling staff, especially temporary workers who may be less familiar with a particular organisation’s systems, increases their versatility. This allows healthcare providers to adapt more effectively to fluctuating patient volumes and creates a collaborative workforce. 

Ross Hodgson, a health and social care expert at Unity Plus: “When employees are confident in their ability to manage various conditions, they feel empowered and less overwhelmed. This approach ensures patients receive the highest standard of care and helps retain staff by reducing the emotional and professional strain that often accompanies surges in demand.”

Investing in staff training also improves long-term workforce stability, creating a culture of continuous development that benefits employees and patients.

Temporary healthcare workers key to managing demand

Workforces should also be adequately supported, particularly given the pressures from staff shortages, burnout, and increasing patient volumes. In 2023, the NHS faced a vacancy rate of 8.4%, equating to 121,000 full-time equivalent  roles, while the social care sector had a vacancy rate of 9.9%, or 152,000 roles². These gaps highlight the ongoing challenge of staffing shortages in the health and social care sectors, where both recruitment and retention are major issues. 

According to Ross, temporary staffing needs increase by 80% during December and January at Unity, and are already seeing a spike in enquiries for temporary workers. By planning for these provisional requirements ahead of time, organisations can prevent potential crises caused by worker shortages, maintaining care quality without straining permanent teams.

Ross Hodgson comments: “Recruitment is not just about filling positions; it’s about ensuring sustainability in the workforce. With the right partnerships, care homes and the NHS can secure skilled staff quickly, ensuring they have the flexibility to meet surges in patient numbers without compromising care quality or overwhelming permanent teams.”

Long-term solutions in health and social care 

Providers should also continue integrating long-term solutions that improve their ability to handle future crises, says Ross. Digital health platforms, ongoing staff development programs, and recruitment partnerships will help future-proof the sector against public health challenges.

Ross adds: “Among this public health challenge, it’s also important to remember to nurture staff, whether they’re permanent or temporary. In a high-pressure environment like winter care, employee wellbeing is vital. Providing emotional and professional support, ensuring manageable workloads, and offering opportunities for respite are crucial in retaining staff and ensuring they perform at their best.”