Royal College of Nursing responds to NAO report on NHS nursing workforce
Responding to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) that outlines the current nursing shortage in England and the challenges to recruiting more nurses,Susan Masters, RCN Director of Nursing, Policy and Practice, said:
“This report shows we need a proper workforce strategy to address the serious shortage of nurses, which is currently leaving NHS and social care services, and those who rely on them, at risk.
“There simply aren’t enough nurses joining the profession in England to look after the health of the population. Next week’s Budget is the perfect opportunity for the Government to respond to the workforce problems of NHS and social care.
"We are calling for investment to remove financial barriers for nursing students, by paying for tuition fees and providing grants for the real costs of living.
“Until there’s a law clarifying who is responsible and accountable for workforce in Government and throughout the health and care system, patient safety remains at risk”.
Ends
