Responding to an announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care of new surgical hubs to cut waiting lists, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said:
“More beds and clinics will only help patients if there are enough nursing staff to care for the people in those beds.
“Only yesterday figures revealed the impact of the pressures on the nursing workforce show little sign of declining.
“Patient care is already at risk and adding to the workload of a workforce that has seen thousands leave the profession in the last year alone, will do little to improve the situation.
“Nursing cannot be ignored any longer - the government needs to show nurses they are valued through fair pay and investment in the workforce to stop more leaving. Only then will there be enough nurses to cut waiting lists and give patients the care they deserve.”
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