NEWS
Minimum staffing ratios would help tempt ex-nurses back, says Lib Dem @alistairbauer
Setting minimum nurse staffing levels in Wales would create a working environment that tempts former nurses back into the profession, members of the Welsh assembly heard. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams was quizzed by members of the assembly’s health and social care committee about her safe nurse staffing levels (Wales) bill last week. She pointed to the positive experience of nurses in the Australian state of Victoria, where there are mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in place. Ms Williams said: ‘When they moved to this system, there were thousands of nurses coming back into the profession because they knew wards would be properly staffed. ‘There is evidence to suggest this creates an environment that brings nurses back on to wards because they know they will have better working environments and the time to do what they want to do.’
Safety evidence
If it became law, Ms Williams’ proposal would require health boards in Wales to maintain minimum nurse-to-patient and nurse-to-healthcare assistant ratios in acute adult inpatient wards. The government would issue guidance on how to determine these ratios and health boards would have to consider safe nurse staffing levels in all healthcare settings. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has reported that mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in Victoria have led to safer patient care, more manageable workloads, increased job satisfaction and better recruitment and retention of nurses. Wales chief nursing officer (CNO) Jean White issued guidance in 2012 on
staffing levels. This states the number of patients per nurse should not exceed seven during the day, and 11 at night. Ms Williams told the committee that progress had been made on staffing ratios since this guidance was published. Labour assembly member Alun Davies asked whether further progress could be made without the need for legislation. Ms Williams said: ‘We have given health boards the opportunity to do this and, despite progress, we still have not achieved what the CNO has said are safe staffing levels.’ ‘The bill will hold health boards’ feet to the fire to make good the CNO recommendations.’
Liberal Democrat assembly member Peter Black said that evidence from the National Nursing Research Unit at King’s College London suggested the relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes is unclear. However, Ms Williams highlighted the work of leading international nurse academics including Anne Marie Rafferty from the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery at King’s College London, linking nurse numbers to patient mortality rates. She said: ‘I do not think there is any dispute that safe staffing levels have a positive impact on patients.’ The committee will take evidence on the bill’s proposals until March.
HUGH PUTS STORYTELLING CENTRE STAGE Actor Hugh Grant has helped write a book on the benefits of drama and storytelling with a friend who has learning disabilities. The Drama Group is co-authored by Baroness Sheila Hollins, emeritus professor of the psychiatry of learning disability at St George’s Hospital, London, and her son Nigel Hollins, an actor who has learning disabilities, pictured bottom with Mr Grant. Their picture-based story book,
published by Beyond Words, was launched in London last week. Mr Grant took part in a staging of the story, with actors from the Baked Bean Theatre Company, including Kate Powell, left, and Ashley Phillips. Baroness Hollins explained: ‘Such picture books can help nurses communicate with patients who have learning disabilities and help them understand their care plans.’
PETER TAYLOR
By Alistair Kleebauer
NURSING STANDARD january 21 :: vol 29 no 21 :: 2015 9 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Jul 20, 2016. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Minimum staffing ratios would help tempt ex-nurses back, says Lib Dem @alistairbauer
Setting minimum nurse staffing levels in Wales would create a working environment that tempts former nurses back into the profession, members of the Welsh assembly heard. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams was quizzed by members of the assembly’s health and social care committee about her safe nurse staffing levels (Wales) bill last week. She pointed to the positive experience of nurses in the Australian state of Victoria, where there are mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in place. Ms Williams said: ‘When they moved to this system, there were thousands of nurses coming back into the profession because they knew wards would be properly staffed. ‘There is evidence to suggest this creates an environment that brings nurses back on to wards because they know they will have better working environments and the time to do what they want to do.’
Safety evidence
If it became law, Ms Williams’ proposal would require health boards in Wales to maintain minimum nurse-to-patient and nurse-to-healthcare assistant ratios in acute adult inpatient wards. The government would issue guidance on how to determine these ratios and health boards would have to consider safe nurse staffing levels in all healthcare settings. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has reported that mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in Victoria have led to safer patient care, more manageable workloads, increased job satisfaction and better recruitment and retention of nurses. Wales chief nursing officer (CNO) Jean White issued guidance in 2012 on
staffing levels. This states the number of patients per nurse should not exceed seven during the day, and 11 at night. Ms Williams told the committee that progress had been made on staffing ratios since this guidance was published. Labour assembly member Alun Davies asked whether further progress could be made without the need for legislation. Ms Williams said: ‘We have given health boards the opportunity to do this and, despite progress, we still have not achieved what the CNO has said are safe staffing levels.’ ‘The bill will hold health boards’ feet to the fire to make good the CNO recommendations.’
Liberal Democrat assembly member Peter Black said that evidence from the National Nursing Research Unit at King’s College London suggested the relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes is unclear. However, Ms Williams highlighted the work of leading international nurse academics including Anne Marie Rafferty from the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery at King’s College London, linking nurse numbers to patient mortality rates. She said: ‘I do not think there is any dispute that safe staffing levels have a positive impact on patients.’ The committee will take evidence on the bill’s proposals until March.
HUGH PUTS STORYTELLING CENTRE STAGE Actor Hugh Grant has helped write a book on the benefits of drama and storytelling with a friend who has learning disabilities. The Drama Group is co-authored by Baroness Sheila Hollins, emeritus professor of the psychiatry of learning disability at St George’s Hospital, London, and her son Nigel Hollins, an actor who has learning disabilities, pictured bottom with Mr Grant. Their picture-based story book,
published by Beyond Words, was launched in London last week. Mr Grant took part in a staging of the story, with actors from the Baked Bean Theatre Company, including Kate Powell, left, and Ashley Phillips. Baroness Hollins explained: ‘Such picture books can help nurses communicate with patients who have learning disabilities and help them understand their care plans.’
PETER TAYLOR
By Alistair Kleebauer
NURSING STANDARD january 21 :: vol 29 no 21 :: 2015 9 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Jul 20, 2016. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
