Urgent action needed to address nurse shortage in Wales

In the last 10 years the percentage of nursing staff that feel enthusiastic about their job has dropped by 19%.

Those that feel they are too busy to provide the level of care they would like has increased by 9%, highlighting the mounting pressure nursing staff are facing in Wales

Research also showed that where there are fewer nurses, patients are 26% more likely to die and this rises to 29% following complicated hospital stays.

Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for Local Government said: “I was delighted to join colleagues at the ‘Listen to Nursing’ event and talk to nurses from North Wales, who worked through the pandemic and continue to provide excellent service.

“It was, however, alarming to hear at first-hand about the effects the shortfall in nursing numbers has on existing hardworking staff and worrying to be told about the concerns for patients’ safety.

“It is clear from the RCN’s 2022 Nursing in Numbers report that the Welsh Government needs to do much more to help the NHS fill the 2,900 nurse vacancies and I will continue to raise this issue in the Senedd.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the pressures on our healthcare professionals and the impact on their wellbeing.

“Staff wellbeing, engagement and retention are core priorities in our Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care. That is why we are increasing staffing numbers through a range of retention and recruitment strategies, including international recruitment and record investment in education and training programmes.

“Nurse training places have increased by 69% over the past six years and midwifery training places have nearly doubled. Just last December we announced over a quarter of a billion pound investment package to support education and training programmes for healthcare professionals in Wales, an increase of 15% compared with the previous year.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support our healthcare workforce to keep providing excellent patient care.”

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board say that there is ‘significant recruitment activity’ going on to address staffing issues. 

Gill Harris, deputy CEO and executive director of integrated clinical services, said: “I share the concerns about staffing levels and pay tribute to those colleagues who continually step up to the mark and cover where we are short-staffed.

“The shortage of health care staff is a national issue and there is significant recruitment activity going on to try and turn those roles being filled by agency and locum staff into substantive, permanent positions.

“I would reiterate North Wales is a wonderful place to live and work and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board offers excellent career opportunities, both to those who are already health professionals and those who aspire to a career looking after the region’s population.”