Every two years, the RCN conducts a major UK-wide survey of members. The Last Shift Survey asks respondents what the staffing levels were like the last time they were at work, how those staffing levels impacted on them, the care they were able to provide, and the impact of this on patients, service users and clients they care for. 

The latest survey ran for 5 weeks during March and April 2026 and was open to all RCN members providing direct patient care across health and care settings. Over 1,400 members in Scotland responded.

With nursing staff in Scotland reporting that there is a high risk of harm to patients because staffing levels are well below what it needed, it’s clear we need bold action from the Scottish government. We cannot afford complacency.

We are calling for the Scottish government to show it is committed to valuing nursing properly with the following action:

• Fully implementing the recommendations from the Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce
• The introduction of mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios
• Development of a long-term workforce plan.