The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned that understaffing and the increasingly complex medical needs of an ageing population are creating a "deadly mix" for patients. A survey of over 13,000 nurses across the UK found that almost two-thirds believe there are too few nurses to keep patients safe and provide proper care.
Survey Highlights Widespread Concerns
More than one in five (22%) of nurses working in hospitals or community settings reported that the number of nurses on duty during their last shift was "well below what was needed," leaving care "significantly compromised" and posing a "high level of risk of harm to patients and staff." Overall, 64% of respondents said the number of registered nurses on their shift was "below" or "well below" what was necessary for safe care.
One nurse working in an A&E department in England commented: "The shift was completely unsafe and it felt like a miracle that avoidable harm was not caused."
Call for Mandatory Minimum Staffing
Professor Nicola Ranger, the RCN's chief executive and general secretary, will urge ministers to introduce mandatory minimum safe nurse staffing levels when she opens the union's annual congress in Liverpool. "Widespread vacancies of registered nurses are always unsafe," she said. "But the risk is being compounded by the demands of delivering ever more complex care to an ageing, sicker population, with multiple conditions. It's a deadly mix."
She accused ministers of failing to ensure the health service has enough nurses, stating that the nursing profession is being "set up to fail."
Elderly Patients at Particular Risk
The RCN warned that frail, elderly patients are especially vulnerable. A nurse working on an older people's ward in England said: "Managing high-risk fall patients who require one-to-one supervision is simply not achievable with current staffing levels."
Workforce Growth Slows
Figures released by the RCN show that the growth in the nursing workforce slowed last year to its lowest level in eight years. Over the past decade, the rate of increase in the number of doctors employed by the NHS in England has outstripped that of the nursing workforce by 51%.
Government Response
A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said: "Nurses are the backbone of our NHS, and support patients both physically and emotionally in their most vulnerable moments. It is vital that they are equipped with the tools and resources they need to deliver world class care to those who need it. We have recruited 16,000 more nurses and health visitors since we were elected in July 2024, and our upcoming 10-year workforce plan will set out a clear roadmap to improve working lives in the NHS, including better treatment of staff, higher-quality training, and more fulfilling roles."
Financial Pressures on NHS Trusts
Meanwhile, a survey by the NHS Alliance of health trust leaders in England found that 64% expect to cut services this year due to insufficient funding. 83% feared financial constraints will impact planned patient care, and 78% worry it will affect emergency care. 57% expected to cut clinical staffing this year to save money.
Ciaran Devane, the organisation's chief executive, said the NHS is "starting to turn a corner" with shorter waiting times and higher public satisfaction, but progress is at risk due to "likely service closures and job cuts this year" because the service needs more funding.
A DHSC spokesperson responded: "We recognise the challenges NHS leaders face, but this government has supported the health service with record investment, boosted productivity, and driven improvements in tech. Waiting lists are at their lowest level in more than three years, and over half a million fewer people are waiting for treatment since July 2024. We've also expanded community diagnostics, surgical hubs and GP appointments to get patients seen faster."
