The UK Nursing Workforce Standards, published by RCN in 2021, promotes excellence in safe staffing and apply across all areas of nursing and all sectors within the UK. The Safe Staffing Standards are expected to be applied and adopted by all workplaces, and health and care systems.
In May 2021, we published the first UK overarching Nursing Workforce Standards (RCN, 2021). These Standards were developed through review of current research literature and in collaboration with expert reference groups contributing professional expertise
RCN Principles for safe staffing and effective care:
- Responsibility and Accountability:
- the governance framework promotes responsibility and accountability to reduce health inequalities through assessing the diversity and inclusivity of the health and care workforce
- Clinical Leadership and Safety:
- right number of staff with the right skills and knowledge, in the right place at the right time, in all care settings
- Wellbeing, health and safety
- staff are granted an inclusive, healthy and safe work environment. It is essential to support the dignity, health and wellbeing of all nursing staff as this affects effectiveness, professionalism and compassion.
A new RCN Staffing for Safe and Effective Care report shows the longstanding shortages in the nursing workforce were present before the COVID-19 pandemic and were compromising patient care.
70% of nursing staff surveyed in January 2020 said the staffing levels on their last shift was insufficient to safely and effectively meet patient needs. 57% felt that staff shortages compromised patient care.
“This mounting pressure continues to present grave risks to patients. However, the risks to nursing staff - and to recruitment and retention as these pressures continue - must not be underestimated.”
To read the full RCN report, visit the RCN Website