- 02 July 2019
- 13 min read
95% of Nurses say patient health is at risk (and it's due to NHS staff shortages)
SubscribeNurses.co.uk surveyed over 550 Nurses about the staffing emergency in the NHS. Alarmingly, almost all respondents believe patient health is at risk as a result of the profound NHS workforce crisis.
Read about this and other revelations from our survey.

Introduction - Is the Nurse Shortage really a National Emergency?
According to a Nuffield Trust report there is a 40,000 shortfall in nursing and midwifery numbers.
In June 2018 there were over 100,000 unfilled vacancies in NHS England.
The Observer recently reported that the NHS could be short of 70,000 Nurses by 2024 if things aren't turned around (here's The Observer's article).
That's a gaping 16% hole in the required nursing workforce.
A Nursing staff shortage forced Oxford Community Hospital to close temporarily in Spring 2019.

According to the NMC over 26% of the Nurses leaving its register state that it's due to staffing levels.
It is affecting Mental Health Nursing in particular. The number of Mental Health Nurses has dropped by almost 11% in 10 years.
Last September official staffing figures for the NHS shared by the BBC called it a ‘National Emergency’.

Some of the factors behind the staffing crisis
Pay
The NHS Nursing salary is not considered to be enough. Our survey showed it is a major impediment to recruitment.
Training

In 2015, George Osborne scrapped Student Nurse fees and grants. Numbers of those looking to become a Nurse suddenly fell by 30% and haven't recovered.
Migrant Workforce
Migration is a very national issue.
Statistics suggest a migrant workforce is important to the NHS.
But the national attitude to migration is not unanimous.
Attempts to recruit from overseas have been undermined. But there are plans and this one is worth reading about - Will the MAC's changes to the Shortage Occupation List be enough to save the NHS?
Brexit

Since the vote to leave the EU, more than 7,000 EU nurses have already left the UK. Oxford University Hospital recently pointed to higher staff turnover from its Spanish nurses. The hospital suggested this was Brexit related.
Stress and Workload
Nurses often feel undervalued as well as underpaid.
Through conversations we have with Nurses (follow us on Facebook) Nurses often feel:
• burned out due to shift hours
• overworked on under-resourced wards
• un-supported by managers who lack clinical experience

Experienced NHS Nurses choose to leave the NHS for the private sector or agency work.
Poor retention impacts overall staffing numbers, and drains the NHS of vital learned skills and experience.
About this contributor
Nurses.co.uk Founder
I believe people working in healthcare should be able to choose to enjoy work. That is, choose an employer who reflects their values and provides them with a sustainable career. This leads to better patient care, higher retention rates and happier working lives in this most important employment sector.
More by this contributorWant to get involved in the discussion?
Log In Subscribe to commentSimilar Articles
More on this topicWorkforce Shortages in Nursing: The Strain on the NHS in 2025
Stats And Facts On The UK's Nursing Workforce 2025
Hiring? Attract & recruit clinical, nursing, care & support candidates