Responding to the HSSIB report on fatigue of NHS staff, Executive Director of RCN England Patricia Marquis said:

“This report lays bare the daily reality for nursing staff. They are overstretched, understaffed and regularly work beyond their hours caring for too many patients. This causes dangerous levels of fatigue which harms patients and follows staff home, with sometimes devastating consequences. Nursing fatigue is deadly and in health and care services should be treated as a public safety emergency.

“Ministers must understand that the only route to protecting patients and staff is to invest in nursing. But with the numbers quitting skyrocketing and student recruitment collapsing, there is every chance this crisis will deepen. Filling tens of thousands of vacancies and bringing workloads down to safe levels must be a priority. Employers must also recognise their obligations, ensuring staff are supported to take proper breaks, can rest between shifts, and can raise the alarm when they are feeling unsafe.”

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