Pressure on nursing staff unrelenting as norovirus surges in NHS, says RCN

Responding to the latest NHS England winter performance data showing norovirus cases in hospitals are at the highest level this winter, RCN Executive Director for England Patricia Marquis, said:

“From one of the busiest summers ever, to now surging norovirus, the pressure on nursing staff is unrelenting. They are doing their best to keep people safe, but widespread vacancies and not enough beds mean they face an impossible job. Across England, they continue to report patients being crammed into corridors – ministers need to step up and act.

“This crisis won't be turned around without urgent intervention from government. We need to see the numbers published on exactly how many patients are being treated in corridors and we need urgent, additional investment into nursing, boosting capacity in the community and preventing the need for hospital care.”