Responding to the latest set of winter data from NHS England, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger, said: 

“These figures show just how dangerous the situation is getting across our NHS hospitals. Wards and emergency departments were full to start with but now a surging flu virus could soon overwhelm them. With the peak not even here yet and corridor care already rife across the NHS, nursing staff are deeply worried about how they will maintain the safety and dignity of patients. We’re clear that treating people in unsafe, non-clinical areas like corridors, store cupboards and offices is not an acceptable response. Ministers need to act to protect patients this winter. 

“Outbreaks of flu can be a challenge, but they should not de-rail the service. The reality however is a sustained lack of investment in both nursing staff and beds has impacted the ability of the NHS to safely deal with increases in demand, while a similar failure to build nursing capacity in the community, primary care and social care means vulnerable people remain stuck in hospital, severely impacting bed availability.  

“As a matter of urgency, the government must deliver new investment this winter to improve nurse staffing levels and increase bed capacity in hospitals, but crucially also produce a rapid timeline of investment in community services and social care. Those measures will be essential to ease the pressures inside hospitals and keep patients safe.” 

ENDS