Responding to the latest NHS England Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Report and NHS Vacancy Statistics, Royal College of Nursing Chief Nurse Professor Nicola Ranger said:
“This winter will be just as challenging as last year. Nursing staff are doing all they can to hold together the NHS whilst it is under immense strain.
“Vacant nursing posts in the NHS remain alarmingly high at over 42,000. Bed occupancy is well above safe levels, with patients sometimes treated in corridors and waiting rooms. Waiting lists have grown out of control and are now at record levels, despite the Prime Minister’s pledge to bring them down.
“Nurses and patients deserve better. The current stress on our health and social care system has left nursing staff caring for far too many patients on every shift.”
Ends
Notes to editors
According to the latest NHS England Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Report, the Adult General and Acute Bed Occupancy Rate during the week commencing 20th November in 2022 was at 95.3%, the rate for the same week this year is also 95.3%. Similarly, the Adult Critical Bed Occupancy rate last year was 79.7%, with the rate this year at 79.0%.
The latest NHS England Vacancy statistics show that the number of vacant nursing posts during the second quarter of 2023/24 was at 42,306.
