MPs warn NHS in England facing worst staffing crisis in history

A report by MPs says the large number of unfilled NHS job vacancies is posing a serious risk to patient safety.

 

The report found that England is now short of 12,000 hospital doctors and over 50,000 nurses and midwives, calling this the worst workforce crisis in NHS history.

 

The government have said the workforce is increasing and NHS England is drawing up long-term plans to recruit more staff.

 

Jeremy Hunt, former health secretary, who chairs the Commons health and social care select committee that produced the report, said tackling the shortage must be a “top priority” for the new prime minister when they take over later this year.

 

He added “Persistent understaffing in the NHS poses a serious risk to staff and patient safety, a situation compounded by the absence of a long-term plan by the government to tackle it.”

 

An accompanying report found that rates of abuse and harassment in the NHS were worryingly high with 28 per cent of staff experiencing at least one incident of bullying in the last year.

 

There was concern about maternity services, with over 500 midwives leaving the health service between March 2021 and March 2022.

 

The Royal College of Nursing’s England director Patricia Marquis, said the risk to staff and patients from low staffing levels should “shock ministers into action”.

 

She added “On pay the committee was very clear, saying it is unacceptable that some NHS nurses are struggling to feed their families, pay their rent, and travel to work.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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