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Nine in 10 hospitals failing to hit nursing targets NHS nursing levels: Nine in 10 hospitals missing targets
(35 minutes later)
The vast majority of hospitals in England are struggling to recruit enough nurses, figures show.The vast majority of hospitals in England are struggling to recruit enough nurses, figures show.
Some 92% of the 225 acute hospital trusts in England did not manage to run wards with their planned number of nurses during the day in August.Some 92% of the 225 acute hospital trusts in England did not manage to run wards with their planned number of nurses during the day in August.
The figures, published by the NHS, show that hospitals in England are falling short of their own targets for levels of safe staffing.The figures, published by the NHS, show that hospitals in England are falling short of their own targets for levels of safe staffing.
The Department of Health said staffing was a priority.The Department of Health said staffing was a priority.
Analysis by the Health Service Journal shows average staffing levels across the 225 acute hospital sites in August was worse compared with data for January when 85% of hospitals missed their staffing targets for nurses working during the day. Analysis by the Health Service Journal shows average staffing levels across the 225 acute hospital sites in August was worse compared with data for January, when 85% of hospitals missed their staffing targets for nurses working during the day.
The figures also showed 81% of hospitals failed to have enough registered nurses working at night.The figures also showed 81% of hospitals failed to have enough registered nurses working at night.
Some 79% of hospitals missed their target for registered nurse staffing across both day and night.Some 79% of hospitals missed their target for registered nurse staffing across both day and night.
'Big challenges'
Hospitals have been required to publish monthly data on whether they have enough nurses on wards since April 2014.Hospitals have been required to publish monthly data on whether they have enough nurses on wards since April 2014.
It followed a report into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, which was heavily criticised for failings of care that may have contributed to unnecessary deaths.It followed a report into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, which was heavily criticised for failings of care that may have contributed to unnecessary deaths.
Many hospitals have had to boost their nurse numbers by recruiting overseas, and spending on agency staff has contributed to NHS deficits.Many hospitals have had to boost their nurse numbers by recruiting overseas, and spending on agency staff has contributed to NHS deficits.
The Department of Health acknowledged there were big challenges for hospitals and said staffing was a priority. A Department of Health spokesman said: "Staffing is a priority - we've put more than 7,600 additional nurses on our wards since May 2010 and there are 50,000 nurses currently in training.
"We know that there are big challenges for hospitals, so we are helping the NHS to employ the staff it needs at a fair price by clamping down on rip-off staffing agencies and identifying billions of pounds of back-office savings so that as much money as possible goes to the front line."
It comes after a study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia suggested that fewer patients die after emergency surgery in hospitals that have more doctors and nurses.
The research, looking at data involving nearly 295,000 patients, also found death was more likely following a weekend admission, saying this showed staffing was a factor in the so-called weekend effect.
Emergency care doctors have also warned that A&E units across the UK are not equipped to cope with rising demands being seen this winter.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said in a weekly update of A&E performance that nine in 10 hospitals are increasing their bed numbers, but that despite this they are having problems seeing patients quickly enough and discharging them.