Recurring concern
Inadequate physical nursing care for vulnerable patients
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Request correctionFirst reported 13 Jan 2014•Latest report 24 Apr 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the delivery and safety controls of physical nursing care for vulnerable patients, including clinical observation and NEWS recording or response, oxygen administration, recognition of physical illness, nursing treatment, escalation and related competence or supervision where these directly impair physical care.
Not included
- Excludes generic communication, record-keeping, staffing or training deficiencies unless they directly result in inadequate physical nursing care for vulnerable patients.
- Excludes failures belonging to a separately named clinical condition or safety system, such as VTE prevention, pressure-ulcer care or NEWS-system operation, where that named concern provides the more specific supported boundary.
- Excludes general personal care, hygiene, comfort or welfare omissions that do not involve physical nursing care or clinical treatment.
- Excludes poor clinical or risk assessment where no deficiency in physical nursing care is identified.
- Reports
- 12
- Individual concerns
- 12
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 14
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide required one-to-one nursing care
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Publish a new 10 Year Workforce Plan to support appropriate NHS staffing and workforce distribution.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Individual NHS trusts and employers are responsible for determining staffing levels and workforce composition.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Concerns raised1
Failure to undertake adequate physical-health observations for highly agitated patients
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Lack of qualified nursing staff to reinsert time-critical RIG tubes
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to respond appropriately when NG tubes are not adequately draining
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
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Action
Write to UK nasogastric-tube manufacturers about ENFit connector risks and request risk-assessment updates, with advice on applicable corrective actions, instructions and staff training.
Stated by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency -
Action
Review and update the LocSSIP for nasogastric and orogastric tube insertion to include troubleshooting guidance on tube aspiration.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust -
Action
Provide nasogastric and orogastric tube aspiration troubleshooting guidance in nursing and medical clinical guidelines.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
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Action
Update e-learning for nasogastric and orogastric tube insertion and management to include aspiration troubleshooting, competency assessment and self-assessment.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
NHS England and Improvement is responsible for responding to concerns about Hospital Trust evaluation, nursing practice, and root-cause-analysis training.
Stated by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
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Position
Concerns concerning local hospital practice should be addressed by the relevant Local Trust.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Poor physical care of vulnerable patients on Summers Ward
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Progress an agreement with the Digital Health Team to provide specialist physical-health advice to inpatient clinical teams.
Stated by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing knowledge and experience for patients following serious injury
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Update mandatory training days to include clinical scenarios on care following a fall.
Stated by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King'S Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Add care-following-a-fall scenarios to induction for new starters and returning staff.
Stated by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King'S Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to carry out required hourly nursing observations
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Use Nerve Centre mobile observations to record patient observations, trigger escalation for raised NEWS scores, and monitor response trends.
Stated by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Inconsistent methods for performing four-hourly patient observations
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing observations of ward patients
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Pilot Vitalslink wireless vital-sign monitoring with real-time alerts linked to the electronic patient record.
Stated by Barts Health NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Lack of nursing observation and care
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Conduct ward spot checks of patient interactions, call-bell response times and required risk assessments.
Stated by North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Data last updated 7 September 2026