Responding to the latest ONS labour market statistics, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
“The evidence is simply staggering, with the latest figures showing that vacancies in healthcare account for 1 in 10 job vacancies across the UK. At the same time, growth in private sector pay continues to significantly outstrip public sector pay – it is no wonder we have a record 47,000 nursing vacancies in England’s NHS.
“It is low pay that is contributing to the staffing crisis and ultimately impacts on the safety of patients. Nurses are leaving the profession in their droves with many taking similarly paid roles in sectors where they're not responsible for people’s lives in a crumbling health service.
“The government’s negligence towards addressing vacancies is at the heart of the crisis in the NHS. And to start addressing vacancies, they need to pay staff fairly.
“Yet the Prime Minister continues to bury his head in the sand – we are urging him, once again, to come to the table and negotiate.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
The latest ONS labour market statistics are available here.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.
For more information, contact the RCN press office at 020 7647 3633 or email mediateamhq@rcn.org.uk
