The UK picture
In England there is no law related to nurse staffing.
The RCN is campaigning for legislation to guarantee nurse staffing levels in England across all sectors and settings.
Safe staffing legislation which covers NHS hospitals has already been introduced in Wales.
The RCN is continuing to campaign to ensure that this law improves the situation for nursing teams and their patients. The RCN is also working with the Welsh Government to extend the legislation to other areas of nursing.
In May 2019 the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act became law.
The RCN is now focused on monitoring how the law is implemented and making sure it achieves its aims.
The RCN is currently preparing to ballot members in Northern
Ireland on industrial action, including strike action, in relation to safe and
effective care. This includes safe nurse staffing and pay equality.
13 Nov 2019
Members working in Health and Social Care [HSC] services in Northern Ireland will take industrial action from 3 December.
12 Nov 2019
RCN writes to party leaders demanding action on key threats to nursing and health.
7 Nov 2019
RCN members in Northern Ireland have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action, including strike action, over the nurse staffing crisis and pay.
7 Nov 2019
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action, including strike action, over the nurse staffing crisis and pay.
31 Oct 2019
Commenting on today’s publication by the Department of Finance of the Northern Ireland public sector pay policy for 2019-2020, along with an ensuing Department of Health press statement on its implication for the pay of nurses and other health workers, RCN Northern Ireland Director Pat Cullen said:
16 Oct 2019
New figures show nursing vacancies are at critical levels.
15 Oct 2019
The independent inspection body for England highlights the urgent need to address nursing vacancies in the face of growing demand on health care services.
9 Oct 2019
Members working in HSC services are being asked to vote on industrial action up to and including strike action.
8 Oct 2019
RCN report outlines why law is needed to fix the nursing workforce crisis in England.
26 Sep 2019
NHS England and NHS Improvement have responded to RCN members’ calls for clarity on workforce roles and responsibilities in England and recommended the government take action.
Each month you'll receive an email with a quick and easy online action you can take to help us make sure we have safe staffing levels in England.
Find out all you need to know about our campaigning work across the UK and what you can do to demand safe staffing levels.
