Responding to the latest NHS England winter performance data RCN Executive Director for England Patricia Marquis said:

“Nursing staff say there is no end in sight to the pressures on the wards. Record norovirus levels are taking up precious bed space, whilst thousands are stuck in hospital because of a struggling primary, community and social care system. Every day patients are being admitted only to be treated in corridors in unsafe and undignified conditions.

“This year-round crisis cannot simply be passed over as winter pressures. Until there is a commitment to sustained investment in the nursing workforce, including building the capacity in the community and social care, patients will continue to be failed and plans for care closer to home will never get off the ground.”

Ends

Notes to editors

Data from NHS England shows the number of people in hospital in England with norovirus is continuing to climb and has hit another new high for this winter, NHS figures show.

An average of 961 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 7% from 898 the previous week, which had been the highest so far this season.

Norovirus levels also remain higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 570 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and also two years ago (750 patients).

An average of 13,776 hospital beds per day were filled last week in England with patients who were fit to be discharged.

This is up from 13,426 the previous week and is the highest number so far this winter.