'We desperately need safety-critical nurse-to-patient ratios enshrined in law'

The latest release of data from the Royal College of Nursing's Last Shift Survey shows the urgent need for investment in the nursing workforce and safety-critical nurse-to-patient ratios enshrined in law. New analysis finds more than 11,000 members reveals just a third of shifts had enough registered nurses.   

Chronic staff shortages mean individual nurses are often caring for 10, 12, 15 or more patients at a time. The RCN are now calling for safety-critical limits on the maximum number of patients a single nurse can be responsible for.   

Our survey found that 1 in 3 hospital shifts were missing at least a quarter of the registered nurses they needed. In A&E settings, significant numbers of nurses reported having more than 51 patients to care for. 

Across all settings, 80% of respondents said there aren't sufficient nurses to meet the needs of patients safely.   

RCN Acting General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “Without safety-critical limits on the maximum number of patients they can care for, nurses are being made responsible for dozens at a time, often with complex needs. It is dangerous to patients and demoralising for nursing staff.   

“When patients can’t access safe care in the community, conditions worsen, and they end up in hospital where workforce shortages are just as severe. This vicious cycle fails staff and patients – it can’t go on.   

“We desperately need urgent investment in the nursing workforce but also to see safety-critical nurse-to-patient ratios enshrined in law. That is how we improve care and stop patients coming to harm.”  

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Source: RCN, 1 July 2024