NEWS
Welsh bill on nurse staffing ratios could ‘revolutionise’ health services By Christian Duffin Politicians from all parties have backed plans for minimum nurse staffing levels in Welsh hospitals. Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams will propose a private members’ bill, to be introduced and debated in the National Assembly for Wales in the coming months. If passed, it could become law next year. Ms Williams last week won a clear majority in the assembly to press ahead with the bill. There were 39 votes of support, 12 abstentions and no opposition to the proposal that Wales should introduce mandatory minimum nurse staffing levels. ‘I am delighted we are now a step closer to this proposal becoming a reality,’ she said. ‘I believe it has the potential to revolutionise health care in Wales. It will ensure safe and compassionate care by having the right numbers of nurses on our wards.’
Labour Health minister Mark Drakeford, who abstained, expressed concern that fixed ratios might bring inflexibility to workforce planning. Ms Williams quoted RCN figures showing that Wales has the UK’s highest ratio of patients per nurse, at 10.5. In Scotland the figure is 8.8, in England it is 8.5 and in Northern Ireland 7.2. She said: ‘The Francis report, which looked at failings by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, cited low staffing levels as one factor that contributed to poor treatment. There is a clear link between staffing levels and the safety and quality of care on hospital wards.’ Ms Williams argued patients will spend less time in hospital if there are more staff, in turn reducing agency costs. Private members’ bills are much less likely to become law than government bills, which generally have the support of the majority party. Since 2011, nine private members’ bills have been proposed in the assembly
but only one has become law. Four are currently being considered, including the Williams bill. In Westminster, just 4 per cent of private members’ bills became law, compared to 91 per cent of government bills between 2005 and 2010. However, director of RCN Wales Tina Donnelly remains optimistic that a minimum nurse staffing bill will succeed. She said: ‘There is growing evidence that nurse staffing levels can make a difference to patient outcomes, patient experience, quality of care, recruitment and retention of nursing staff, and the economic efficiency of care delivery.’ Susan Osborne has been elected as chair of the Safe Staffing Alliance, set up as part of Nursing Standard’s Care campaign. Ms Osborne, a healthcare consultant and one-time director of nursing at the former St Mary’s NHS Trust in London, takes over the role from Florence Nightingale Foundation chief executive Elizabeth Robb.
The past pops up to help staff reminisce with patients Nurses are helping patients with dementia to relive memories of visiting the corner shop or pub by providing pop-up ‘reminiscence pods’ on wards. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has six pods – simulated settings to remind older patients of their youth. There is a 1950s-style lounge, a shop and pub. The pods are collapsible so can be used on wards across the organisation. There is a backdrop and paraphernalia from the middle of the 20th century, such as ration books and board games. Lead nurse for dementia Janice McGrory (pictured with patient Betty Godwin) said: ‘The pods help to relieve boredom and build a better bond between staff and their patients.’ 10 march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014
NURSING STANDARD
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Welsh bill on nurse staffing ratios could ‘revolutionise’ health services By Christian Duffin Politicians from all parties have backed plans for minimum nurse staffing levels in Welsh hospitals. Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams will propose a private members’ bill, to be introduced and debated in the National Assembly for Wales in the coming months. If passed, it could become law next year. Ms Williams last week won a clear majority in the assembly to press ahead with the bill. There were 39 votes of support, 12 abstentions and no opposition to the proposal that Wales should introduce mandatory minimum nurse staffing levels. ‘I am delighted we are now a step closer to this proposal becoming a reality,’ she said. ‘I believe it has the potential to revolutionise health care in Wales. It will ensure safe and compassionate care by having the right numbers of nurses on our wards.’
Labour Health minister Mark Drakeford, who abstained, expressed concern that fixed ratios might bring inflexibility to workforce planning. Ms Williams quoted RCN figures showing that Wales has the UK’s highest ratio of patients per nurse, at 10.5. In Scotland the figure is 8.8, in England it is 8.5 and in Northern Ireland 7.2. She said: ‘The Francis report, which looked at failings by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, cited low staffing levels as one factor that contributed to poor treatment. There is a clear link between staffing levels and the safety and quality of care on hospital wards.’ Ms Williams argued patients will spend less time in hospital if there are more staff, in turn reducing agency costs. Private members’ bills are much less likely to become law than government bills, which generally have the support of the majority party. Since 2011, nine private members’ bills have been proposed in the assembly
but only one has become law. Four are currently being considered, including the Williams bill. In Westminster, just 4 per cent of private members’ bills became law, compared to 91 per cent of government bills between 2005 and 2010. However, director of RCN Wales Tina Donnelly remains optimistic that a minimum nurse staffing bill will succeed. She said: ‘There is growing evidence that nurse staffing levels can make a difference to patient outcomes, patient experience, quality of care, recruitment and retention of nursing staff, and the economic efficiency of care delivery.’ Susan Osborne has been elected as chair of the Safe Staffing Alliance, set up as part of Nursing Standard’s Care campaign. Ms Osborne, a healthcare consultant and one-time director of nursing at the former St Mary’s NHS Trust in London, takes over the role from Florence Nightingale Foundation chief executive Elizabeth Robb.
The past pops up to help staff reminisce with patients Nurses are helping patients with dementia to relive memories of visiting the corner shop or pub by providing pop-up ‘reminiscence pods’ on wards. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has six pods – simulated settings to remind older patients of their youth. There is a 1950s-style lounge, a shop and pub. The pods are collapsible so can be used on wards across the organisation. There is a backdrop and paraphernalia from the middle of the 20th century, such as ration books and board games. Lead nurse for dementia Janice McGrory (pictured with patient Betty Godwin) said: ‘The pods help to relieve boredom and build a better bond between staff and their patients.’ 10 march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014
NURSING STANDARD
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 19, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
