1,721,090 research outputs found
"The Francis inquiry tells us inadequate staffing costs lives"
No full textIf anyone needed it, the Francis inquiry provides us with a significant reminder that nurse staffing levels matter, and that inadequate staffing not only damages the quality of care but ultimately leads to loss of life
Analysing the implementation and effects of safe staffing policies in acute hospitals
No full textSeveral high-profile inquiries and reports, including the Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, by Sir Robert Francis QC, have identified that nurse staffing is an essential factor in patient safety and patient mortality rates. Since the Francis report, several policies and initiatives aimed at ensuring safe staffing in the NHS have been developed alongside guidance and evidence-based safe staffing tools, while the Care Quality Commission has been tasked with ensuring compliance with these policies. In 2015, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme commissioned research to examine the extent to which safe staffing policies have translated into practice locally in the NHS. This article summarises and examines the main findings of this research and suggests that, although policies have raised the profile of nurse staffing, nursing shortages have impeded their implementation
"Insufficient staffing makes good care nigh on impossible"
No full textIt’s wrong to ignore the evidence that says staffing levels impact on care, says Jane Bal
What difference have safe staffing policies made to hospitals in the NHS?
No full textThe Francis inquiries in 2010 and 2013 highlighted nurse staffing as a patient safety factor contributing to the care failings identified at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. The reports and government response led to the development of national ‘safe staffing’ policy. Research had previously shown that a relationship exists between levels of nurse staffing, and the quality and safety of patient care provided. Low registered nurse staffing levels are associated with worse patient outcomes, creating ‘unsafe’ conditions. Prior to 2013, decisions to assess and review staffing levels were taken locally with little national guidance on staffing levels. The second Francis Inquiry prompted the development of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for ‘safe staffing’ in all NHS acute hospitals. A two-year study undertaken by the University of Southampton and Bangor University set out to look at the costs and consequences of implementing safe staffing policy, and to identify the factors influencing local responses. This Evidence Brief describes the findings of this research, looking at how NHS safe staffing policy has been implemented locally and nationally, and what impact safe staffing policies have had in practice
How do long shifts, overtime, and higher patient load influence activities that support good nursing practice?
No full textNursing workforce factors like shift length, workload, and use of overtime are known to influence care quality and staff wellbeing. But to what extent do these factors influence other aspects of nursing work - such as care coordination and continuous professional development? We used data from a large national survey of nurses to see if working long shifts, overtime, and having higher patient loads influenced nurses’ opportunities for completing activities that support good practice
Magnet Hospitals – are they better places for staff?
No full textJob-related stress and burnout are prevalent amongst healthcare staff; in particular, nurses in the UK have one of the highest levels of burnout in any country in Europe. Tackling this problem is a high priority in the UK and in other countries where shortages of healthcare professionals are affecting healthcare delivery. ‘Magnet’ hospitals are reputed to attract and retain staff, and to achieve better outcomes for patients. But what do we know about whether Magnet hospitals are ‘better’ places for staff to work, and whether they improve staff wellbeing
What keeps nurses in nursing?
No full textThere is a chronic shortage of registered nurses in the UK. Despite efforts to increase nursing numbers, vacancy rates in the NHS remain high, reinforcing the need to retain nurses already in the workforce. What makes some nurses decide to leave their jobs, or the profession altogether, and others stay? Understanding workplace factors that influence these decisions could help employers and policymakers to create the conditions needed to keep nurses in the profession.In this Evidence Brief, we bring together the key findings from a scoping review of reports and research papers to summarise what is known about factors that influence nurse retention, and consider what more needs to be done to develop effective retention strategies
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