Commenting on a new report* revealing that hospital nurses are forced to ration care because of time constraints on the ward, Gail Adams, UNISON Head of Nursing said:
“This report adds to the growing evidence that there is safety in numbers when it comes to caring for patients. Earlier this year UNISON’s own survey of nurses and healthcare assistants found that nearly 60% did not have enough time to deliver safe, dignified and compassionate patient care.
“The introduction of minimum staff to patient ratios would be a life-saving initiative – one that would dramatically change life on wards for patients and staff, providing a safer, more caring environment for all.”
Safety in numbers at work
UNISON represents the whole nursing family, including nurses, midwives, health visitors and healthcare assistants.
The NHS is facing serious threats. Services and jobs are threatened with some employers using the economy as an excuse to attack staff pay, terms and conditions. We believe patients come before money. Find out how UNISON is campaigning to make sure the NHS is safe for patients and staff.
Nearly half a million UNISON members work in health care in the NHS and for organisations providing NHS services. We work to improve terms and conditions, highlight issues that will affect all workers, ensure workplaces are safe and challenge discrimination.
Current campaigns
UNISON is campaigning to ensure everyone who works in our NHS is valued, whatever role they do.
