RCN comments on the link between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality
Published: 01 April 2009
Embargo: 00:01 Wednesday April 1st 2009
RCN comments on the link between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality
The Royal College of Nursing today commented on research by Dr Foster's Intelligence linking nurse staffing levels with patient mortality.
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:
"It's very simple - when hospitals do not have enough nurses, patients are put at risk. The past few weeks and the terrible events at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust have shown yet again that these risks are serious and patients can die. Florence Nightingale said that the very first requirement of a Hospital is that it should do no harm. Hospital Trusts must make sure that by having enough nurses they keep all their patients safe.
"Every Trust Chief Executive should be checking whether or not they have enough highly-skilled experienced nurses to provide patients with the kind of care that they expect and deserve. The government needs to spell it out to Trusts - saving lives is the health service's priority, not saving money.
"The RCN wants to work closely with government and Trusts locally to address these staff shortages that are having an everyday effect on the care that patients receive."
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Notes to Editors
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
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, healthcare assistants 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.