Evidence of links between staffing levels and patient care growing - RCN

Published: 21 March 2012

Commenting on the international RN4CAST study looking at the nursing workforce and patient outcomes published in the BMJ today, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said:
 
“These findings are hugely significant and provide more compelling evidence that nursing numbers and the working environment have a direct relation to quality of care and patient experience. It is shocking that the burnout experienced by nurses in England is the second worst in Europe, and this should be a major cause of concern for employers. Nursing is not an easy job that just anyone can do; it requires a high level of skill and dedication and in this country we are very privileged to have such a committed workforce.

“This study echoes much of the RCN’s own research which demonstrates that, due to increasing cuts, staff are over stretched and are not given the resources to provide their patients with the level of care they would wish. The 2011 NHS staff survey also published this week reported similar findings, with less than a third (30 per cent) of respondents saying there are enough staff in their organisation for them to do their job properly. Sadly none of this is surprising when we learn that since 2010 the NHS has lost nearly 20,000 posts, almost 3,500 of them qualified nurses.

“The NHS cannot afford to ignore this growing body of evidence if it wants to protect patient care. It needs to recognise that its staff are its most valuable asset and start investing in them. For this reason the RCN’s work on mandatory safe staffing levels could not be more timely and we would urge the Government, if they are serious about patient safety, to take this on board at a matter of urgency.”

Notes for Editors

1. The RCN’s paper on mandatory safe staffing levels was published on 20 March 2012 and can be accessed here http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/439578/03.12_Mandatory_nurse_staffing_levels_v2.pdf 

2. The BMJ article can be found here http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1717

3. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
 
4. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.