In response to the results of a survey showing that 67% of NHS trusts are planning on letting clinical staff go to balance spending targets, Executive Director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said:
“The evidence is clear that when you cut nursing staff patients die. These unbelievable plans highlight a dangerous disconnect between government rhetoric and the reality for NHS staff. Health leaders have a duty to deliver safe patient care and that must be prioritised over meeting government financial targets.
“Everywhere you look, patients line corridors, face endless delays for GP appointments, or get two minutes with a district nurse when they need 20 – all while stress and mental health issues surge amongst NHS workers. We already don’t have enough staff to meet patient demand and it is incredibly dangerous to make matters worse.
“The millions that are stuck on waiting lists are proof that balancing the books on the backs of patients is a road to nowhere. Cuts to services harm patient outcomes and cost the NHS more in the long run.
“We need an urgent support from government to NHS trusts. These cuts cannot be allowed to happen.”
ENDS
