Freedom of information request finds 17% of London nursing posts vacant
Almost one in five nursing posts in London is vacant, according to freedom of information research.
The study, from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), found the capital’s nursing shortage deepened last year, with more than 10,000 vacant posts.
It said 17% of London’s registered nursing posts in 2015 were vacant – up from 14% in 2014 and 11% in 2013.
The union said the national average is 10%.
Historic cuts to training places plus the ongoing pay freeze imposed by the Government means many London trusts are unable to find permanent staff, the RCN said.
Patients are then put at risk by a shortage of staff, or trusts turn to expensive agency staff or recruiting overseas.
RCN London regional director Bernell Bussue said: “London faces a critical shortage of registered nursing staff.
“The problem is partly down to short-sighted workforce planning which saw training posts cut in the past, meaning there aren’t enough home-grown nurses coming through the system.
“Most importantly, the ongoing pay freeze imposed by the Government means that nursing staff increasingly just can’t afford to live and work in London. Pay has run 10% below inflation since 2010.
“The Government urgently needs to give nursing staff a pay rise at a level which helps them settle in the capital for the long term, before staffing shortages start to damage the quality of care which London’s patients receive.”
Labour’s London Assembly health spokesman Onkar Sahota said: “It’s staggering that the Health Secretary has allowed London’s nursing shortage to reach this level, especially as the warning signs have been there for a long time.
“We’ve seen a devastating mix of reductions in nurse training posts and bursaries, and low morale brought about by increasing work pressures.
“In the North West London NHS Trust, where we have seen the most disruptive reorganisation of local health services, we have 30% fewer nurses than we need.
“With the high cost of living in the capital becoming increasingly unaffordable, it’s inevitable that you’ll struggle to attract and retain nurses and other key workers.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We do not recognise these figures. Official statistics show that Londoners have already benefited from 3,400 additional nurses since May 2010 and this is down to continued Government investment in the front line.
“We have 50,000 nurses in training and our recent changes to student funding will mean up to 10,000 more training places across the country by 2020.
“Our recent launch of a new nursing associate role will also open up a career into nursing for thousands of people from all backgrounds.”
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