04.06.15
RCN expresses ‘concern’ as NICE suspends nurse staffing levels work
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has expressed ‘concern’ that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE’s) decision to suspend its work on safe nurse staffing levels is driven by “affordability”.
The decision to stop the work, which was a recommendation of the Francis report following the failings at Mid Staffordshire, was contained in an email from NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon in response to a speech by Simons Stevens at NHS Confed yesterday.
In a statement Sir Andrew said: “The announcement by Simon Stevens of a review of the approach to setting safe staffing levels means that the work to secure safe levels of staffing in Accident and Emergency Departments and in mental health and community settings is likely now to be taken forward as part of NHS England’s wider programme of work to help the NHS deal with the challenges it is facing over the next few years.
“NICE stands ready to support this work using the experience we have gained over the last two years.”
He added that making sure hospitals and community services are safely staffed remains an “important priority” for the NHS.
Sir Andrew went on to say the guidance that NICE has already published on safe staffing levels in adult acute wards and in maternity settings was widely welcomed and will continue to be used.
Dr Peter Carter, CEO and general secretary at RCN, said NICE had done “excellent work” on staffing, which was rigorous, well researched and respected.
“It provided clarity on what safe staffing looks like and importantly it put patient safety first. If staffing levels are not based on evidence there is a danger they will be based on cost. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past, where staffing levels were cut to save money, and patients suffered as a result,” said Dr Carter.
“We are concerned that this move is driven by affordability, and patients and staff must be assured that this is not the case.”
He added that whatever replaces the NICE guidelines must continue to emulate their evidence based and safety focused approach. “Straying from this course now would be failing both staff and patients.”
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