Nursing and midwifery crisis
Inadequate recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery staff due to lack of comprehensive bursary schemes.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
90match
#3 - Introduce comprehensive bursary scheme for nursing and midwifery students, guaranteeing NHS work.
The Government’s current target of recruiting 50,000 NHS nurses is not having any meaningful impact on the true scale of nursing shortages. The Government must introduce a new bursary scheme comprising full coverage of tuition fees, a non-means- tested grant of at least £1,000, and a means-tested bursary. In addition, nursing and midwifery students who take up this...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Committee recommendation
90match
#25 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
NHSE&I acknowledged that there are worrying signs of stress and burnout amongst NHS staff since the COVID-19 outbreak. It cited figures from a Nursing Times survey, 56 C&AG’s Report, para 2.6. Based on England-domiciled applicants, UK universities, and includes midwifery degrees. The withdrawal of the NHS bursary applied to students on courses in England. NHS bursary schemes continued...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Committee recommendation
78match
#23 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
Since 2017, the number of people accepted onto nursing and midwifery degree courses has increased from 22,045 in 2017 to 23,060 in 2019. This still means that, in 2019, only 430 (2%) more people accepted a place on a nursing degree course compared with 2016 when the NHS bursary was still available. Between 2017 and 2019, the number...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Committee recommendation
78match
#6 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The COVID-19 outbreak presents new challenges, as well as opportunities, for improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in the NHS. In particular, it is vital that the NHS protects the mental health and well-being of nurses who have contributed so much during the COVID-19 outbreak. NHSE&I told us it had put measures in place to support staff,...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
78match
#5 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The removal of the NHS bursary in 2017 signally failed to achieve the Department’s ambition to increase nursing student numbers. From 2017, the Department changed the funding arrangements for nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students. It removed the NHS bursary and payment of tuition fees for students and moved them onto student loan arrangements. The Department hoped...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Committee recommendation
74match
#21 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
From 2017, the Department changed the funding arrangements for nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students. Prior to 2017, HEE paid tuition fees to universities and NHS bursaries to students to cover their living costs. Instead, these students moved onto the existing student finance arrangements, with most eligible for full loans for tuition fees and maintenance costs. The...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Inquiry recommendation
73match
F192 - Strong nursing voice
The Department of Health and Nursing and Midwifery Council should introduce the concept of a Responsible Officer for nursing, appointed by and accountable to, the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Committee recommendation
70match
#28 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
NHSE&I acknowledged that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff and admitted that there is variability in how well these staff have been supported during the pandemic. In response to our questions 64 Q 40 65 NWF0006 - Royal College of Nursing submission, para 4.3 & 4.5. 66 NWF0006 - Royal...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
70match
#4 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The nursing needs of social care remain an unaddressed afterthought for the Department of Health & Social Care. Vacancies for nurses in social care have increased from a rate of 4.1% in 2012–13 to 9.9% in 2018–19, while the number of registered nursing posts in social care has fallen by 10,400 (20%) since 2012–13. The NHS and social...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
70match
#3 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
We are not convinced that the Department has plans for how the NHS will secure 50,000 more nurses by 2025. The Department plans to meet the 50,000 commitment by increasing the domestic supply of registered nurses, recruiting from overseas and improving retention rates. However, it could not tell us how many nurses each of these supply routes are...
Matched on
terms: nursing
PFD report
69match
Rodney Gates
Critical patient observations were missed due to low numbers of nursing staff, heavy reliance on agency nurses with limited experience, and a lack of essential equipment on the ward.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
68match
#16 - Thirty-Fifth Report - Introducing Integrated Care Systems
We have been raising concerns about the lack of long-term planning for the NHS workforce since well before the COVID-19 pandemic52. We have noted that among comparable OECD countries the UK has relatively low numbers of nurses and doctors per 1,000 population.53 The Department has repeatedly failed to make good on its commitments to produce a plan to...
Matched on
terms: crisi, midwifery
Committee recommendation
66match
#27 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
NHSE&I noted that over 32,000 nurses stepped up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak, including former nurses and over 20,000 students. However, it acknowledged that there needs to be better local systems for retaining these returners, such as to establish how many wish to return to the NHS and in what capacity.70 We were also told...
Matched on
terms: nursing
PFD report
65match
Elizabeth Robinson
Inadequate nursing staff levels and an unreviewed internal investigation meant nurses were unable to deliver safe care, assess patient fall risk correctly, and were unaware of learning opportunities.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
64match
F213 - Training standards for healthcare support workers
Until such time as the Nursing and Midwifery Council is charged with the recommended regulatory responsibilities, the Department of Health should institute a nationwide system to protect patients and care receivers from harm. This system should be supported by fair due process in relation to employees in this grade who have been dismissed by employers on the grounds...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Inquiry recommendation
64match
F212 - Training standards for healthcare support workers
The code of conduct, education and training standards and requirements for registration for healthcare support workers should be prepared and maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Council after due consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Health, other regulators, professional representative organisations and the public.
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Committee recommendation
62match
#24 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
In December 2019, the government announced the introduction of a new maintenance grant for nursing students from September 2020, which consists of a non-repayable grant of £5,000 to £8,000 to help with living costs. Students will still pay their own tuition fees and the higher education market will therefore still determine the number of places.62 The Department said...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
62match
#22 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The policy change impacted on some students and regions more than others. For example, from 2016 to 2018, there was a 10% increase in the number of students accepted onto nursing degree courses for children’s nursing and for applicants from the North East. This is in contrast to large reductions in students accepted onto learning disability courses (-41%)...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
62match
#9 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The Department acknowledged that the demand for nurses and the extent of nurse shortages vary between specialisms and regions.14 For example, in the period July– September 2019, NHS trusts in England reported an overall nursing vacancy rate of 12%, but these ranged as high as 16% for mental health trusts and 15% in London.15 Macmillan Cancer Support noted...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
62match
#8 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
It is essential that the NHS understands not just how many nurses it needs, but where and in what specialisms. However, the NAO and other stakeholders have noted that the NHS Long Term Plan contained service commitments that did not have a complete assessment of the type and number of nurses needed to deliver the plan. For example,...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
62match
#7 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
NHSE&I told us that the advent of COVID-19 meant that workforce planning over a horizon of three to four years was not currently possible, and at the moment the main focus of the system was on winter planning. It thought it would be possible to make a longer-term plan after winter, once the impacts of COVID-19 on service...
Matched on
terms: nursing
PFD report
61match
Angela O’Donnell
High reliance on agency nursing staff raises concerns about consistent training and continuity of care. The national shortage of nursing staff contributes to these systemic challenges.
Matched on
terms: nursing
PFD report
61match
Elizabeth Roberts
Persistent, nationally unresolvable staffing shortages within the District Nursing Service continue to impact patient care delivery at a local trust level.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
61match
#26 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The Royal College of Nursing noted that, to retain nurses who worked during the pandemic, it will be essential to provide access to specialised mental health support, carry out risk assessments for staff and ensure people are able to take rest breaks and annual leave.66 NHSE&I told us that it has made a free mental health helpline available...
Matched on
terms: nursing
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
202403956 - Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division
C’s parent (A) suffered a number of falls during an admission to hospital where A sustained a head injury and subsequently died. C complained to the board that A’s falls risk was not effectively managed. The board identified some failings in relation to A’s falls care, including a lack of personalised falls prevention plan and a lack of...
Matched on
terms: nursing
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
202401362 - Lothian NHS Board - Acute Services Division
C complained about the nursing care provided to their late parent (A) during their admission to hospital. A arrived at the emergency department before being admitted to a ward. While in hospital, A lost weight and had difficulty eating. Due to delirium, A’s mobility was poor and they experienced a number of falls whilst in hospital. This resulted...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
59match
F193 - Standards for appraisal and support
Without introducing a revalidation scheme immediately, the Nursing and Midwifery Council should introduce common minimum standards for appraisal and support with which responsible officers would be obliged to comply. They could be required to report to the Nursing and Midwifery Council on their performance on a regular basis.
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Inquiry recommendation
57match
F206 - Strengthening the nursing professional voice
The effectiveness of the newly positioned office of Chief Nursing Officer should be kept under review to ensure the maintenance of a recognised leading representative of the nursing profession as a whole, able and empowered to give independent professional advice to the Government on nursing issues of equivalent authority to that provided by the Chief Medical Officer.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
57match
F205 - Strengthening the nursing professional voice
Commissioning arrangements should require the boards of provider organisations to seek and record the advice of its nursing director on the impact on the quality of care and patient safety of any proposed major change to nurse staffing arrangements or provision facilities, and to record whether they accepted or rejected the advice, in the latter case recording its...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
56match
#8 - Publish clear plan for recruiting additional midwives and obstetricians for safe maternity staffing.
In July 2021, we recommended that NHS England needed an additional 1,932 midwives and 496 obstetricians to operate at a level that Birthrate Plus considered safe. Rather than adding to their headcount, NHS England has lost 552 midwives between March 2021 and March 2022. This indicates a clear problem with midwifery retention. Despite requests to NHS England and...
Matched on
terms: midwifery
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
201104145 - Tayside NHS Board
Mrs C suffered from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a disease of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed). She was receiving chemotherapy but after the second cycle her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital, where she died a few days later. Her daughter, Miss C, was concerned that while her mother was...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
202101294 - Fife NHS Board
C complained about the care and treatment provided to their late parent (A) by the board. A had dementia and was experiencing worsening delirium following a urinary tract infection. A was admitted to hospital by an out-of-hours doctor who visited A at home. C's sibling accompanied A in the ambulance but was told that they were unable to...
Matched on
terms: nursing
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
202305480 - Fife NHS Board
C complained about the nursing care provided to their late parent (A) whilst in hospital. They complained about a lack of adherence to infection control, poor staff attitude and breaches of uniform policy. C also complained that A had been issued a zimmer frame without appropriate assessment and guidance, and that staff inappropriately handled A when transferring them...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
55match
F194 - Standards for appraisal and support
As part of a mandatory annual performance appraisal, each Nurse, regardless of workplace setting, should be required to demonstrate in their annual learning portfolio an up-to-date knowledge of nursing practice and its implementation. Alongside developmental requirements, this should contain documented evidence of recognised training undertaken, including wider relevant learning. It should also demonstrate commitment, compassion and caring for...
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Inquiry recommendation
55match
F189 - Consistent training
The Nursing and Midwifery Council and other professional and academic bodies should work towards a common qualification assessment/examination.
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
Inquiry recommendation
55match
F188 - Aptitude test for compassion and caring
The Nursing and Midwifery Council, working with universities, should consider the introduction of an aptitude test to be undertaken by aspirant registered nurses at entry into the profession, exploring, in particular, candidates' attitudes towards caring, compassion and other necessary professional values.
Matched on
terms: midwifery, nursing
PFD report
53match
Wendy Telfer
Inadequate training for physical healthcare staff on mental health needs and Mental Health Act application is a concern. A severe national shortage of psychiatric beds also caused critical delays in patient transfer, contributing to preventable deaths.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
53match
Charlotte Warkcup
Concerns exist regarding the safety of standalone midwife-led birthing centres, the lack of midwife recruitment for continuity of care, and insufficient detection of small gestational age babies.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
53match
John Seagrove, Pauline Humphris and Patricia Steggles
Chronic and worsening ambulance handover delays at emergency departments are severely impacting response times and leading to staff burnout and recruitment difficulties.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#29 - Set out specific measures to reduce burnout and improve pay for CMHS staff.
Staff retention is important for continuity of care for people with SMI. As part of the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan, the Government should set out specific measures to reduce burnout, including action on caseload management and access to supervision; improve pay and progression opportunities for CMHS staff, including those in the VCFSE sector delivering equivalent roles; and...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#19 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
The Department and HEE highlighted the important role that apprenticeships and nursing associates play in widening access to the nursing profession, by enabling people to earn money as they train. In the case of nursing associates, which is a separate role, people can also gain experience as an associate before deciding if they want to train to become...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
53match
#1 - Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
On the basis of a Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department of Health & Social Care (the Department), NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) and Health Education England (HEE) on the NHS nursing workforce.1
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
52match
#13 - Forty-Fourth Report - NHS backlogs and waiting times in England
This Committee’s September 2020 report, NHS nursing workforce, concluded that there was a risk that the NHS was focusing on short-term pressures at the expense of the 23 C&AG’s Report, page 30 24 Qq 69, 75 25 NHS0043 NHS Providers submission para 3a 26 NHS0022 British Medical Association submission para 3.7 27 Q103 28 NHS0010 University of Manchester...
Matched on
terms: nursing
Committee recommendation
52match
#2 - Thirty-Fifth Report - Introducing Integrated Care Systems
We remain very concerned about the critical shortages across the NHS workforce and the Department’s repeated delays in publishing a strategy to address them. Workforce shortages are widespread across the NHS, and particularly acute in some specialisms, for example midwifery. This can result in unsafe care for patients. This is a long-standing issue which pre-dates the pandemic and...
Matched on
terms: midwifery
Inquiry recommendation
52match
F204 - Strengthening the nursing professional voice
All healthcare providers and commissioning organisations should be required to have at least one executive director who is a registered nurse, and should be encouraged to consider recruiting nurses as non-executive directors.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
52match
F203 - Strengthening the nursing professional voice
A forum for all directors of nursing from both NHS and independent sector organisations should be formed to provide a means of coordinating the leadership of the nursing profession.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
52match
F202 - Strengthening the nursing professional voice
Recognition of the importance of nursing representation at provider level should be given by ensuring that adequate time is allowed for staff to undertake this role, and employers and unions must regularly review the adequacy of the arrangements in this regard.
Matched on
terms: nursing
Inquiry recommendation
52match
F201 - Strengthening the nursing professional voice
The Royal College of Nursing should consider whether it should formally divide its "Royal College" functions and its employee representative/trade union functions between two bodies rather than behind internal "Chinese walls".
Matched on
terms: nursing
LGO / SPSO decision
52match
201303065 - Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board - Acute Services Division
Ms C, who is an advice worker, complained on behalf of her client, Ms B. Ms B's late fiancé (Mr A) had died a few days after being admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary with severe jaundice. Ms B had told Ms C that the board provided inadequate nursing care, and that hospital staff failed to communicate adequately with...
Matched on
terms: nursing
LGO / SPSO decision
52match
201406562 - Grampian NHS Board
Mr C complained about the care provided to his late father (Mr A) at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Mr A was blind, elderly and frail. He had cancer. Early in 2014 he had had many emergency admissions to hospital and in May 2014 he was admitted again. During his stay he experienced two heart attacks and was noticed to...
Matched on
terms: nursing