Nursing Times ranking shows regional funding inequities in trust nurse-per-bed ratios
Published: 14 April 2009
Speaking after the Nursing Times published an analysis of the Dr Foster Nurses-Per-Bed ratio, RCN Regional Director Glenn Turp said:
"This survey shows that there is a regional inequity of resources. Eight out of the top ten hospital trusts in terms of the number of nurses per bed are in London and the South East. At the other end of the spectrum, some of the lowest numbers of nurses per bed are in the North East.
"The Northern region faces some very difficult challenges due to health inequalities. We have higher than average incidences of diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and cancer. And yet this survey shows that NHS resources are being focussed on London and the South East."
"If we are to deliver safe and effective hospitals for all our communities with positive patient outcomes, it is vital that the Government addresses this resource inequity."
The full list of hospital rankings can be found at:
http://www.nursingtimes.net/Journals/1/Files/2009/3/30/Trusts20by20to20ratio.pdf
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