Responding to a report today (Tuesday) from NHS Improvement on the rising demand for nurses in the NHS, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “Reports that the NHS needs another 15,000 nurses come hard on the heels of ministers cutting student bursaries.
“Government claims that this will attract more students to the profession are totally unfounded, and will not help fill current vacancies.
“The bill for using expensive agency nurses has gone up 30 per cent since 2012. The long-term plan must be to train and properly fund the nurses of the future.
“Urgent action is needed from ministers to ease NHS funding problems and get more nurses on to wards helping patients get better.”
Notes to editors:
– NHS Improvement is responsible for overseeing foundation trusts, NHS trusts and independent providers.
– The NHS Improvement report: Evidence from NHS Improvement on clinical staff shortages is available here.
Media contacts:
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk
