Progress and Challenge: The Implementation of the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016 provides detailed information on the Health Boards’ progress during the past 18 months.
Overall, the Act has changed NHS culture for the better – Health Boards are now frequently discuss how to achieve safe nurse staffing levels at board level. Across Wales significant investment has been made to the funded establishment for nursing staff on hospital wards covered by the Act duties, this will directly improve patient experiences and the working lives of nursing staff in these areas.
Nursing leadership has been strengthened, Executive Nurse Directors have a stronger voice at board level, professional judgment of nurses has been harnessed and ward managers have been involved in shaping the changes across Wales.
However, in compiling the report it became clear that there are some immediate actions that need to be taken by the Welsh Government to support implementation of the Act.
Helen Whyley, Director RCN Wales, said: “There are over 1500 nursing vacancies in the NHS in Wales alone and we know the care home sector is also struggling - not just for registered nurses but also for health care support workers.
Achieving safe nurse staffing levels means national action needs to be taken to support the retention of nursing staff. NHS Wales has more to do to support the retention of nursing staff in a strategic and meaningful way. This action is needed now to achieve the implementation of safe nurse staffing levels in every setting to protect patient care. Now the establishments are funded they need to be filled by permanent staff.
She added: “RCN Wales will always be proud of our successful campaign to achieve the first safe nurse staffing legislation in the UK and indeed in Europe. It is essential that the Act is extended to all settings where NHS Wales commissions or provides nursing care.
This report is a great opportunity to step back and look at what we, as a profession have built so far and what we must do next. The report also clearly shows to the Welsh Government what needs to be done.
I challenge the Welsh Government to work with us in 2020 to develop a national retention strategy for nursing that includes flexible working and career opportunities, as well as improved access to continuing professional development, as part of their ‘Healthier Wales’ programme.”
