'Devastating' winter pressures show no sign of declining, says Royal College of Nursing

Responding to the latest NHS England performance data, RCN Executive Director for England Patricia Marquis, said: 

“Even as temperatures rise, the devastating pressures on nursing staff show little sign of declining. Viruses are ripping through already packed hospitals, leaving overstretched staff without enough beds to place patients. Corridor care is being reported right across our NHS and nursing professionals are worried that the warmer months will be as dangerous for patients as winter. 

“Demand is rising far faster than the health service is able to cope with. We urgently need to see investment to grow the nursing workforce to the level required to meet patient need, especially in community and social care settings. The 10 year plan must deliver for the long term but staff and patients need to see action now.” 

Ends 

Notes to editors 

There was an average of 1,134 patients a day in hospital with norovirus last week, down slightly on the previous week (1,160), but still nearly two and a half times the same period last year (470). 

The number of beds taken up by patients with the virus is up nearly 150% on last year. 

95.3% of adult beds were occupied in the NHS in England, with a total of 96,807 patients in hospital each day.