The recent meeting of the Cross-Party Assembly Group on Nursing, chaired by David Rees AM, focused on ‘Nursing in Care Homes: Views from the Frontline.’ The event provided an opportunity for Assembly Members to meet RCN members and staff to discuss the issue of nursing in care homes.
Helen Whyley, Director, Royal College of Nursing Wales, said: “People in Wales are increasingly likely to be living with multiple long term conditions, frailty and complex care needs as they age.
Registered nurses employed in care homes manage acute illness and emergencies, prevent health problems and promote mental health and wellbeing.
The current nursing capacity within care homes in Wales cannot meet current demand. Registered nurses working in care homes are key to the delivery of safe, high quality care and to supporting improved health and wellbeing outcomes. The Welsh Government need to ensure that the workforce plan for ‘A Healthier Wales’ includes recruitment and retention of nursing staff in the social care sector. Access to nursing careers in the care home sector needs to be widened and more student nurse education placements made available in care homes.”
