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A new analysis by the Royal College of Nursing has revealed that the number of nurses working for the NHS has fallen drastically over the last decade.
The figures reveal that, between September 2009 and December 2022:
- The number of community and district nurses fell by 46.9%
- The number of learning disability nurses has fallen by 45.2%
- The number of health visitors has fallen by 30.2%.
This dramatic reduction in nurses means that thousands who are fit enough to go home are stuck in hospital beds, and that people with learning disabilities, young babies and new parents are stuck without the support they need.
This staffing crisis has caused waiting times for routine and emergency care to continue growing. Indeed, more than 1.5 million people waited four hours or more in A&E in 2022 compared to 2011.
During the same period, the NHS elective care waiting list grew by 169%, with 6.79 million people waiting for treatment in 2022 compared to 2.53 million in 2011. Since then, the list has grown even further, and now, 7.33 million people are waiting for routine hospital treatment in England.
The RCN is now calling on the government to urgently publish its NHS workforce plan, with a particular focus on recruiting and retaining nurses, where the workforce has depleted by nearly 40%.
More community nurses needed to reduce pressure on hospitals
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said the government is playing “a dangerous game” by delaying the NHS workforce plan. “We simply cannot wait any longer,” she said.
“These figures paint a disturbing picture for patients in hospitals and nursing homes, in the community and in their own homes. The crisis in the nursing workforce is leaving patient care at risk and the immense pressure could risk the collapse of health and care services.
“But the workforce plan won’t be the end of the story. Our assessment confirms the fact we need investment right across health and care services – without that patients will continue to lose out,” she said.
The RCN is now calling for urgent investment in social care, as this is causing a decline in the number of community nurses, which is having a knock-on effect on hospitals and A&E wards.
“This catalogue of issues must be addressed urgently, or many people will continue to go without the care they need.
“No more delays, the government needs to deliver,” Cullen said.
