“Trusts across the South East are under extreme pressure this winter due to a lack of beds and staff shortages.
“Figures from across the region show that many trusts are not meeting the 95 percent target of admitting patients within 4 hours of arriving at A+E and many trusts are recording a lower percentage than average across England.
“It is vital the government recognises the enormity of the situation. They cannot continue to expect trusts to meet the targets set and nurses to provide the best possible patient care when there is chronic underfunding and huge swathes of nursing vacancies across the region.
“We welcome the doctors and NHS bosses joining calls for government action and the RCN will support its members every step of the way to make the case for properly funded nursing care.”
