There are fears over the quality of NHS services in Wales today after the Royal College of Nurses issued a damning article on its website.
In the statement, the RCN says that workload and staffing levels placed on nurses can impact patient care and that some nurses and being “pushed to breaking point”. It also suggests that nurses are under pressure from bullying, harassment and financial worries.
In the Employment Survey, the RCN said that a third of members in Wales (33 per cent) said they are currently seeking a change in employment and that 64 per cent reported they felt under more stress and nearly half have considered leaving their job.
One particular area of concern for RCN members in Wales is workload and staffing. Nearly half of RCN members (47 per cent) have seen the number of registered nurses in their workplace decline. The RCN says that this has “a direct impact on patient safety”. Naturally this can increase the number of people who sue the NHS.
Tina Donnelly, Director, RCN Wales said:
“Safety and wellbeing of the patient is paramount and a decline in registered nurses and healthcare support workers in the workplace has a direct impact on patient safety. I am worried by the figures that show 64 per cent of nurses in Wales feel more under stress and nearly half have considered leaving their job. It is not acceptable that nurses are being pushed to breaking point due to low staffing levels and extremely high workloads.”
Have you or a family member been the victim of a poor level of care? If so, call us today on 0800 612 7445.