An astonishing dossier of concerns raised by nurses about the impact of staffing levels on patients reveals that nurses with the right skills are often in short supply, full staffing levels are becoming a “rare event”, and some emergency patients are being sent home as a result. “One community psychiatric nurse for half a county for a whole day is not a safe staffing level,” writes one nurse. “Staffing levels and high staff turnovers are a huge problem … that needs addressing before anyone else is harmed.”A recent report by Macmillan Cancer Support found that there were widespread shortages of specialist cancer nurses. Hospitals in England were found to have vacancies for more than 400 specialist cancer nurses, chemotherapy nurses, palliative care nurses and also cancer support workers. Read moreThe disclosures come as the Royal College of Nursing calls for new English laws to make ministers accountable for ensuring safe staffing levels.

Source: The Guardian May 12, 2018 22:52 UTC