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

“Today’s figures show the impossible task facing nursing staff. Record numbers are waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted whilst thousands can’t be discharged once fit. Hospitals are jam-packed and patients are lining corridors routinely. A fall in waiting lists is welcome but will be of little comfort to the nursing staff trying to keep patients safe under some of the most extreme pressures in NHS history.

“The tragedy unfolding on our wards comes on the same day data reveals a new low in the number of applications for nursing courses. Without a strong and growing nursing workforce, there is no hope of transforming care and ending the year-round crisis on our hospital wards.

"As the government draws up its new plan for the NHS, it must recognise that new investment in the nursing workforce, particularly in primary, community, and social care couldn’t be more urgent.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The latest winter sit-rep data from NHS England shows –

• The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England from a decision to admit to actually being admitted stood at a record 61,529 in January, up from 54,207 in December.
• This surpasses the previous record high for a calendar month, which was 54,573 in December 2022.
• The number waiting at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission also rose, although not to a new record, standing at 159,582 in January, up from 154,689 in December.