Continuing concerns at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh must be addressed, says RCN Scotland

Published: 11 April 2013

An unannounced inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has highlighted a number of continuing issues in older people’s care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE).

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Associate Director, Norman Provan, said:

“Today’s report acknowledges some improvements following last year’s damning inspection.  However, despite efforts by NHS Lothian to address the serious issues highlighted by HIS, on the ground we still have concerns about the number of staff on wards and the number of available beds.

“Managers at the hospital have rightly recognised these serious problems and we welcome their efforts to address the issues raised by today’s report.  NHS Lothian, following significant cuts to staff, are now acknowledging that they cut too deeply and are recruiting staff.  This is welcome, as it the fact that senior charge nurses on the wards are being freed up to oversee their teams and provide effective clinical leadership.  But nurses are rushed off their feet and, in these circumstances, may not always be able to provide the level of care they wish to.  This reinforces our call for all health boards to use the nationally mandated workforce tools as a means to determine staffing levels, rather than making workforce decisions primarily on the basis of affordability.

“In addition to staffing, we know that there are serious capacity issues at the hospital, with patients in many circumstances being treated in inappropriate wards while waiting for a bed elsewhere or for a care package to be put in place so they can leave hospital safely.  While initiatives such as opening the mothballed Royal Victoria hospital to deal with additional demand will have contributed to an improved service in some cases, we would hope to see the other measures put in place by NHS Lothian taking effect in the very near future and will continue to work with NHS Lothian to make this happen.  This is vital to ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect and receive care in an environment that is appropriate for their needs.”

ENDS

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Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world’s largest professional organisation and trade union for nursing staff, with members in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. RCN Scotland promotes patient and nursing interests by campaigning on issues that affect our members, shaping national health policies, representing members on practice and employment issues and providing members with learning and development opportunities.  With around 39,000 members in Scotland, we are the voice of nursing.