Commenting on a review by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) of evidence on safe staffing levels in hospitals, Dame Donna Kinnair, Acting Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
“The NIHR’s review adds to the important body of existing evidence that too few registered nurses on wards can lead to patient harm, and even death.
“The report is right to recognise that deciding exactly how many nursing staff are needed on wards is highly complex, and will vary according to the type of ward and how sick its patients are. The RCN is campaigning for laws ensuring safe and effective staffing in countries within the UK”.
ENDS