New Hampshire Hospital increases temporary staff spending amid labor shortages
NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES — The New Hampshire’s Executive Council has approved to increase New Hampshire Hospital’s temporary staffing budget from US$3.8 million to US$11.5 million through mid-2025.
This comes amid labor shortages experienced by New Hampshire Hospital, where the vacancy rate for both registered nurses and mental health workers is around 30%.
In Glencliff Home — a long-term care facility for people with mental illness or a developmental disability — all five mental health worker positions are open while the vacancy rate for both nurses and nursing assistants is around 44%.
“While recruitment has increased, the health care workforce shortage in New Hampshire persists, and the labor market remains incredibly competitive,” wrote Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver in the funding proposal.
Weaver added that they are trying various measures to recruit permanent staff, but vacancy rates remain high. She said that adding temporary staff is a must to continue tending to patients and avoid a reduction in beds that would add to New Hampshire Hospital’s waitlist.
