Volunteers in hospitals play a vital role in improving patient experience.
VOLUNTEERS IN HOSPITALS
According to a new report from Health Improvement Scotland, volunteers in hospitals play an importanr role in relieving pressure on frontline staff and improving the experience of patients.
In early 2024, a pilot survey was conducted to gather data on the experiences of NHS staff who work alongside volunteers in their wards and departments. It collected 251 responses from staff across 46 locations in five NHS boards across Scotland.
The survey confirmed that staff in hospitals find great value in having volunteers to support them.
It found very strong support for volunteering among frontline staff, with a resounding 99% strongly supportive of involving volunteers, citing benefits such freeing up time to prioritise clinical care, improving patient experience.
THE RESPONSE
Staff were invited to explain why they responded in this way – 194 comments were received explaining.
One response said:
‘If we invest time showing and supporting volunteers with the simple tasks, it allows us to spend time with patients doing the diagnostic tests. They are a huge support to our service… if we spend 30 minutes showing volunteers what to do for six months, then it’s a great investment of time.’
The survey asked staff about the ways they support volunteers. Many said they help with recognition and feedback, advice and guidance (personal development and needs of patients), task allocation and induction of new volunteers.
Some of the personal benefits of volunteers noted by staff are that they ‘allow staff members to fully concentrate with patients without having interruptions’ and ‘they [volunteers] are another support system for patients and their families’.
Other key findings:
- 84% reported that they spent less than 30 minutes per day providing support to volunteers
- 69% of staff mentioned that involving volunteers helped to lower their stress levels
- 26% said that volunteers contributed to their mental health and overall well-being at work
- Staff also noticed improvements in the quality of patient care, patient well-being, and communication between staff and patients
WHAT NEXT?
The report outlines five key recommendations for the future, including increasing survey participation, sharing data and findings widely, and conducting the survey annually.
Surveys which regularly gather staff perspectives on volunteers can show just how much of a positive impact volunteers have on health outcomes, contributing to the shared goal of evidencing the difference volunteers make.
To ensure hospital volunteers translate into real success, it’s important for boards to listen to staff feedback and prioritise volunteering.
When we measure volunteer impact and connect it with outcomes data, we can make a stronger case for investing in volunteering and show the difference volunteers make. What do you think?
This work was supported by the NHS Scotland Volunteering Programme Team. The report which forms part of our NHS Scotland Volunteer Impact Series
For more information, please read the full report.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Want to volunteer? Search for opportunities by visiting Volunteering Wales.
Need more info about volunteering? We’ve got you covered. Here’s more guidance.
Do you work with volunteers, or would you like to? We’ve a range of resources as well as support, advice, and information to help you.
For more information on health and social care in Wales, and how Helpforce Cymru measures volunteer outcomes and impact, please visit our WCVA Health and Care Project page.