WIREDGOV

The Patients Association is deeply concerned by the revelations in the Health Service Journal that National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations on safe levels of staffing were suppressed by the Department of Health.

The NICE guidelines suggested that A&E departments may be understaffed as much as 50% of the time. The guidelines, which were never made public, also said that many hospitals were underestimating the number of nurses that were required to keep patients safe. Recent figures suggest that as many as 9 out of 10 hospitals in England currently have a dangerous shortage of nurses. 

Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association said:

“The suppression of these guidelines is very concerning for the Patients Association. The NICE recommendations would have exposed shortages in nursing levels, while also highlighting the need for additional finances to provide the correct levels of frontline staff.

The lack of safe staffing levels at Mid-Staffordshire contributed significantly to the failings of the Trust. In his report Sir Robert Francis QC specifically recommended that NICE draft these new guidelines, so it is worrying that such a key part of the Francis recommendations have been ignored. The importance of safe staffing cannot be overstated. Having enough skilled and experienced staff to treat patients is fundamental to ensuring patient safety. 

The Patients Association hears on our National Helpline from many patients who have suffered from inadequate care, often due to low staffing levels. Patients are waiting too long in A&E, don't have help feeding their relatives when they need it, or wait too long for pain relief. Patients need to be treated by a full complement of staff to improve their experience of care.

The indication that the Government has blocked this work sets a very dangerous precedent. This now raises serious doubts about their commitment to increasing patient safety and transparency across the NHS. This sends the wrong message to patients, who are rapidly losing trust in the NHS to provide them with safe, effective care.”

Notes to Editors:

• The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 52 years ago, which has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the UK Health and Social care system.
• For further information please contact Matthew Tisi, Communications & Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8423 9111, or email matthew@patients-association.com or call 07779 004898
• Visit our website at www.patients-association.org.uk