Recruitment and retention challenges
Wandsworth Council is currently examining staff shortages affecting diagnostic waiting times at St George's Trust.
Wandsworth Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard in September 2026 that St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust faces significant diagnostic waiting times due to recruitment and retention issues, particularly for non-obstetric ultrasound scans. Ms. Kate Slemick, Site CEO of St George's Trust, informed the committee that staff shortages are driving these delays.
Barking and Dagenham Council's internal audit team is also experiencing recruitment and retention challenges, impacting its ability to deliver its full audit plan for 2026/27. In March 2026, the Audit and Risk Committee heard that the team relies on interim staff and has vacant permanent roles.
Key facts
- St George's Trust faces diagnostic waiting times due to recruitment and retention issues, as heard by Wandsworth Council in September 2026. Source
- Ms. Kate Slemick, Site CEO of St George's Trust, informed Wandsworth Council's committee about staff shortages in September 2026. Source
- Barking and Dagenham Council's internal audit team has recruitment and retention challenges, impacting its 2026/27 audit plan. Source
- The Barking and Dagenham Audit and Risk Committee heard in March 2026 about reliance on interim staff and vacant permanent roles. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.