RCN: cuts to nursing numbers damaging patient care

Published: 24 July 2012

The pressure to save £20 billion in the NHS in England has resulted in cuts to jobs and a negative impact on frontline staff, the RCN has said.

The comments were made in response to the release of NHS Information Centre workforce statistics. They show that the number of qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in England has fallen by 4,661 from April 2010 to April 2012.

Janet Davies, RCN Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery, said the figures highlight the effects of the Government’s austerity drive in the NHS.

“You can’t lose more than 4,500 nurses, midwives and health visitors without seriously damaging patient care. We know through our Frontline First campaign that the NHS is creaking under the strain of rising demand, fewer staff and short-sighted cuts to patient care. Despite Government rhetoric, these cuts are real and have been ongoing for some time,” she added.

The RCN will continue to identify where posts are under threat, and will work both nationally and locally to oppose short sighted cuts that damage patient care.