Due to severe workforce shortages in hospitals and community services, patients are experiencing pain and, in many cases, being cared for in corridors. Today, the Royal College of Nursing in Wales (RCN) revealed this alarming situation, highlighting that less than a quarter of all shifts in Wales have sufficient registered nurses.
Shortages mean individual nursing staff are often caring for more patients than what is safely recommended. The RCN is releasing its latest ‘Last Shift’ survey results which asked nursing staff in Wales about their experiences on their most recent shift.
Nearly 8 in 10 respondents (78%) in Wales reported that the number of nursing staff was not sufficient to meet the needs of patients safely. Also, more than 8 in 10 respondents (83%) believe that the staffing levels on their last shift/day at work would have been made safer if there was a maximum patient to nurse ratio in their workplace.
One respondent working in an NHS hospital in Wales said “we are just providing very basic care due to our environment [and] staff patient ratio. Most of the falls happening in the ward [are] because of staff shortage ... we can't provide a quality of care."
Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said:” These results are sadly not surprising. It’s a matter of public record that 1,097 NHS Wales beds were cut between 2012 and 2022 – almost a tenth of its capacity. The nursing staffing crisis in Wales has reached critical levels and its endangering patient safety. Low nurse-to-patient ratios are directly linked to increased patient mortality.
Under the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016, health boards and NHS trusts in Wales are legally responsible for nurse staffing levels in all their services. On some wards the law requires the staffing level to be set and maintained. Yet at our last estimate, there were 2,717 registered nurse vacancies across NHS Wales.”
“The Welsh government needs to step up to the challenge and extend this Act to protect all patients. It is then critical that nurses are valued and rewarded if there is to be a sustained supply to meet those staffing levels. This means delivering every promise made to our members that ended our industrial action. The solution to this crisis starts with valuing nursing staff and giving them the time to care.”
Notes to Editors
In March 2024, the RCN invited nursing and midwifery staff from across the UK to tell us about their experiences of the last time they were at work. The survey provides valuable insight into the realities of staffing levels across the UK, including Wales and the impact on nursing staff and the people they are caring for.
The 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 with over half a million members in the UK, including around 30,500 members in Wales.
For more information, contact the RCN Wales communications and media team on 02920 680 769 or mediawales@rcn.org.uk
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