Following the launch of Progress and Challenge: The Implementation of the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016 Report and after speaking face to face with RCN members, Helen Mary Jones AM, supported by Dr. Dai Lloyd AM, Chair of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and David Rees AM, Chair of the Cross Party Group on Nursing and Midwifery, tabled a motion on the report which will be discussed in the Senedd today.
The RCN has examined published Health Board reports from 2018 and 2019 to find evidence of how the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016 is being implemented across Wales and has assessed progress and challenges.
Our findings reveal that Health Boards are committed to the nursing workforce and have increased funding for nurse staffing levels on wards covered by section 25B of the Act (the specific calculation for sufficient nursing).
However, the report also found there is a long way to go, with many health boards struggling with high levels of nursing vacancies.
Helen Whyley, Director RCN Wales, said: “We are pleased that the Assembly has decided to debate this important issue. It demonstrates that Assembly Members recognise the valuable contribution nurses make to health care. We are asking the Welsh Government to enact all nine recommendations outlined in our report which includes developing a national strategy for nursing retention, a plan for how to keep nurses and nursing staff wanting to work in the NHS. Our members have explained to AMs about their difficulties providing care on the frontline.”
She added: “Safe nurse staffing levels are not just needed on certain hospital wards; they are needed across all health settings to ensure safe and effective patient care. We welcomed the health minister’s recent announcement that nurse staffing legislation would be extended to inpatient children’s wards in 2021. However, Section 25B of the Act should also be extended to mental health inpatient wards, community nursing and care homes.”
