The Mental health and learning disabilities (MHLD) staffing level tool is part of the suite of tools available to help NHS Scotland services plan the number of staff they need.
The tool
This tool is used in MHLD inpatient wards across NHS Scotland. It explores and records the variety and complexity of nursing workload.
The tool allows users to record information about:
- bed occupancy
- admissions and discharges
- patient specific interventions
- task specific activity
- group work activity
The MHLD tool provides information, and a rWTE (recommended whole time equivalent) for staffing based on the workload data entered.
How to use this tool
The current national recommendation is to run the tools for a two-week period, at least once per year.
Use this tool alongside the Professional judgement (PJ) tool.
The outputs from these tools can be used as part of the Common Staffing Method, to inform safe and effective staffing for your service.
The following video guides and documents provide information on completing this tool. They provide detailed information from how to log in to how to gather and submit data.
Resources to support you
| Resource | Source | What is it and what is it for |
|---|---|---|
| Resource | Source Healthcare Improvement Scotland | What is it and what is it for Step by step guide to background of the MHLD Tool and data collection |
| Resource | Source Healthcare Improvement Scotland | What is it and what is it for Step by step guide to uploading data onto SSTS platform |
| Resource | Source Healthcare Improvement Scotland | What is it and what is it for User guide on using the MHLD staffing level tool |
| Resource | Source Healthcare Improvement Scotland | What is it and what is it for Template to record data |
| Resource | Source TURAS | What is it and what is it for A variety of learning resources to support understanding workload and workforce planning and the application of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. |
| Resource | Source Healthcare Improvement Scotland | What is it and what is it for Printable checklist to aid tool run preparation and delivery |
| Resource | Source NHS Lanarkshire | What is it and what is it for Example of reporting template which looks at each component of the CSM |