Responding to the latest NHS winter data ahead of the Prime Minister’s speech, Executive Director for RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said:
“As the Prime Minister speaks, thousands of NHS patients needing treatment today are being cared for in corridors. He did not create this crisis, but he is now responsible for it and must start to find some answers.
“There is barely a spare bed in our NHS, with sky high flu admissions and thousands stuck in hospital unable to be discharged due to a lack of capacity in social care. Before the cold weather hits, nursing staff and patients are desperately worried about what the coming weeks and months may bring. New commitments to hit targets must include introducing mandatory reporting of all instances of corridor care taking place in the health service.
“The Prime Minister is right to pledge to turn the tide on sky-high waiting lists by the end of parliament. Investing in nursing staff, who give the largest part of patient care in every part of the NHS, is the single best way to transform patient’s experience.”
Ends
