NURSES leaders in Wales warned today that a shortage of nurses was causing a crisis in hospital wards and endangering patient safety.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales released its latest survey today revealing that less than a quarter of all shifts in Wales have sufficient registered nurses.

Over three-quarters of respondents in Wales said nursing staff levels were too low to meet patient safety needs. 

Also, more than 83 per cent believe that the staffing levels on their last shift or day at work would have been safer if there was a maximum patient-to-nurse ratio in hospital wards.

RCN Wales’ Helen Whyley said: “These results are sadly not surprising. It’s a matter of public record that 1,097 NHS Wales beds were cut between 2012 and 2022 — almost a tenth of its capacity. 

“The nursing staffing crisis in Wales has reached critical levels and it’s endangering patient safety. Low nurse-to-patient ratios are directly linked to increased patient mortality.

One respondent working said: “We are just providing very basic care due to our environment [and] staff-patient ratio.”

Under the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016, health boards and NHS trusts in Wales are legally responsible for nurse staffing levels in all their services. 

“The Welsh government needs to step up to the challenge and extend this Act to protect all patients. 

“It is then critical that nurses are valued and rewarded if there is to be a sustained supply to meet those staffing levels,” Ms Whyley said.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “We remain committed to providing the NHS with the workforce it needs, and this year we are investing £281 million to increase the number of training places.”