Responding to the latest NHS England winter data Executive Director of RCN England Patricia Marquis said:
“As people prepare for the festivities, nursing staff are battling to hold the service together and are deeply concerned about what the coming weeks will deliver.
“Right across the NHS beds are full, A&E is facing increasing pressures, while the growing number of flu cases threatens to overwhelm an NHS and workforce already in crisis.
“The situation is made even worse by the strains in social and community care. Lack of care available close to home means more patients are forced to use A&E or are stuck in hospital beds when they are ready to return home.
“Once again winter is exposing the true impact of failures to invest in our nursing workforce. As we head toward 2025, the government must show it values the profession through action and not warm words.”
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