Patient care is being compromised due to shortages of nurses and support staff, according to Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members across Cambridgeshire,
A survey of more than 30,000 nursing staff – including over 1,650 in the east - asked about staffing levels on their most recent shift and the quality of care they gave.
More than half (57 per cent) said that there was a shortfall of nurses on their last shift and 45 per cent said that there was a shortfall of health care support workers.
54 per cent felt that patient care was compromised on their last shift, with a lack of nurses the most common reason given for compromised, as well as having an increased number of patients who needed a greater intensity of care.
Teresa Budrey, RCN Eastern regional director, said: “It is concerning that so many of our members in the East of England have reported staffing shortages on their shifts, and even more worrying that they believe patient care is suffering as a result.”
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