Implementing the ‘Making it Work’ framework for Remote Rural Workforce Stability

Recruitment & Retention Programmes 2024-2025

Implementing the ‘Making it Work’ framework for Remote Rural Workforce Stability

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Project background: What and Why

From 2011 to 2018 Remote and Rural Healthcare Education Alliance (RRHEAL) were involved in a research project studying factors related to workforce stability in remote and rural areas. One of the outputs of the project was the Making it Work Framework which is “an overview of the key initiatives and investments needed to advance a stable and appropriately skilled and sustainable workforce delivering essential services in rural and remote settings” (Strasser et al, 2018).

The Framework was published in 2018 and provides the structure needed to look at addressing recruitment and retention issues in remote and rural areas. As yet it has not been implemented and evaluated within Scotland. The Framework is structured as nine strategic elements grouped into three main areas with the strategic elements including factors such as:

developing a profile of target recruits

emphasising information sharing

training future professionals

The Framework can begin to address these factors using a range of tools and approaches.

The challenges in attracting and keeping health and care staff in remote and rural areas of Scotland are having a real impact on their communities with factors such as an aging population and higher than average life expectancies contributing to the need for more expert generalist health and care staff living and working in these areas.

Project description: Who and How

Working with a pilot group in a remote and rural area of Scotland, the findings from the Making it Work Framework will be implemented and evaluated for effectiveness. This will involve testing various interventions related to the strategic elements and assessing their implementation against a set of metrics to evaluate factors such as ease of implementation, timescale to implement etc.

Expected outcome: When and What Difference

The first phase of this project will run throughout the 2024-25 year working with our pilot group to test various interventions.

Through this structured and evidence-based approach, the National Centre team aim to produce a structured and replicable methodology for addressing issues around attracting and keeping staff that is easy for users across Scotland to use and adapt. Alongside this methodology, the team will develop an online, fully accessible Living Library containing detailed examples of the various interventions and tools tested that can be used independently or as part of a broader approach to attracting and keeping staff.

Establishing this methodological framework will enable groups across Scotland to easily implement the findings from this project within their own areas in a structured way that allows them to easily evaluate which set of interventions works best for them with the time and resources available to them.

Through the ongoing implementation, the National Centre team will be able to continuously gather data relating to the interventions and strengthen the evidence base arising from this work.