Safe and Effective Care

Welsh Parliament debate on safe staffing this September!

Thanks to the phenomenal 10,572 people who signed our parliamentary petition, the Senedd will debate extending legal protections for nurse staffing levels. It's happening on 28 September 2022, so save the date! Find out more using the links below.

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What is the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016?

It's a law that protects nurse staffing levels in Wales. It was passed on 21 March 2016.
It means health boards and NHS trusts in Wales must "have regard to the importance of providing" appropriate numbers of nurses in all settings.
The requirements go further in adult acute medical and surgical settings and, as of October 2021, in children's wards.
In those areas, nurse staffing levels must be calculated according to a specified methodology - and maintained at that level.
Health boards have a duty to report on compliance with staffing requirements and to take action if failings occur.
The Welsh Government has issued guidance on how to determine appropriate staffing levels.

Why is this so important?

This law protects patients. Research shows poor nurse staffing levels increased mortality by up to 26% compared to better staffed wards.
This historic Welsh law is the first of its kind in the UK. International precedents have been successful in reducing patient mortality.
It empowers the ward sister/charge nurse and the Nurse Director equally to ensure that there are safe nurse staffing levels.
Safe staffing reduces readmissions, health care-associated infections, medication errors, falls and pressure ulcers as well as allowing nursing staff time to deliver compassionate, sensitive care.

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Last Shift Survey Report

This year's survey reveals the extent of the UK staffing crisis in nursing, with 8 in 10 shifts lacking enough staff to keep patients safe. Read more today.

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May 2022: Progress and Challenge in Delivering Safe and Effective Care 2022

This major new report from RCN Wales is an in-depth look at how health boards have implemented the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016, and in particular Section 25B, since it came into force.

It follows and updates our 2019 report, Progress and Challenge: The Implementation of the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016.

A thumbnail of the cover of the July 2022 RCN Wales report, "Retaining Nurses in the Profession: What Matters?"

New report July 2022: Retaining Nurses in the Profession

Is there a case for a national nurse retention strategy in Wales?

Using case studies, this report examines what approaches to nursing staff retention exist in the UK and what the most successful ones have in common.

Ward Managers: The Importance of Being Supernumerary

We're excited to launch our new report and short film on ward managers in Wales: the issues they currently face, but also the impact great leadership brings in improving patient care and reducing adverse incidents.

Often responsible for around 30 patients and teams of around 40, ward managers need protected time when they aren't required to care directly for patients and can focus on managing and leading their teams. This is called being supernumerary, and it benefits both staff and patients.

RCN members made this possible. Over 100 ward managers from across NHS Wales participated in three focus groups, interviews and an online survey. Their views and experiences and views formed the basis of our recommendations. Read the report.