First reported 30 Jul 2013•Latest report 1 Jun 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes recurring shortages or inadequate deployment of qualified healthcare staff, including nursing cover, unsafe clinical caseloads, required one-to-one nursing care and specialist clinical staffing capacity.
Not included
Administrative, social-care or other non-healthcare staffing shortages
Competence or training failures where the number and deployment of qualified staff are sufficient
A single temporary absence that does not evidence a continuing capacity control
Named specialty capacity failures where a narrower retained parent directly captures the supported service boundary
Reports
85
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
89
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
154
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.
NHS England12
Department of Health and Social Care11
Care Quality Commission7
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust4
Barts Health NHS Trust3
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB3
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust3
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust3
Swansea Bay University Local Health Board3
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust3
Aneurin Bevan University LHB2
Cardiff & Vale University LHB2
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health Board2
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust2
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust2
NHS trust49
Executive non-departmental public body13
Healthcare site12
Local health board12
Ministerial department12
Health and social care service regulator7
Integrated care board6
Type not available6
Health professional body2
Independent healthcare provider2
Multi-service care provider2
Nursing home2
Private limited company2
Clinical commissioning group1
Coronial office1
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.
Gwent
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing staffing levels for delivery of safe patient 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 concerns
Each 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.3
Action
Review Community Ward establishments against patient acuity, dependency and quality metrics to determine whether staffing levels are fit for purpose.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 March 2021.
Action
Complete an acuity audit and triangulated recalculation to determine appropriate nurse staffing levels on Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Community Wards.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 March 2021.
Action
Capture patient acuity data to determine workforce requirements.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 March 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The planned nursing roster was met, and the requested additional staffing for enhanced care was escalated and filled when the fall occurred.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Mid Kent and Medway
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing staff numbers in A&E and on the ward
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 concerns
Each 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
Action
Complete a safe nursing-staffing review and resource increased nursing establishments in line with national guidelines.
Stated by Medway NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 March 2021.
Action
Use best-practice workforce tools annually to assess and maintain safe nursing staffing levels in Accident and Emergency.
Stated by Medway NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 March 2021.
Action
Develop a stable, experienced ward nursing team through recruitment and training to reduce agency-staff reliance.
Stated by Medway NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 March 2021.
Action
Establish a Pembroke Ward nursing establishment including five experienced and trained Band 6 registered nurses.
Stated by Medway NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 March 2021.
Gwent
Concerns raised1
Unsafe ward staffing levels failing to account for fluctuations in patient acuity
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 concerns
Each 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.3
Action
Increase the substantive Health Care Support Worker workforce to support enhanced care and continuity.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 March 2021.
Action
Introduce and embed the multidisciplinary core care team model, including assistant practitioners, roster creators and ward assistants.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 March 2021.
Action
Maintain registered-nurse and Health Care Support Worker pools on acute sites to support staff deployment.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 March 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Some temporary staffing requests could not be filled despite escalation and other reasonable steps to address identified nurse staffing deficits.
Stated by Aneurin Bevan University LHBUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Lack of sufficient and appropriately experienced ward staffing
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 concerns
Each 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.7
Action
Develop and improve NHS-owned staff banks, including collaborative banks, to provide flexible staffing and reduce agency reliance.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Action
Deliver 50,000 additional NHS nurses by 2025 through expanded training, recruitment and retention.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Action
Provide financial support grants to eligible nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students, including additional support for childcare and shortage areas.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Action
Recruit registered and unregistered nurses, appoint Ward 6 leadership and patient-flow staff, and recruit additional Nursing Assistants to strengthen staffing capacity.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Action
Review Ward 6 workforce establishments and progress collaborative workforce redesign with therapy leads to align staffing and skill mix with rehabilitation needs.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Action
Provide enhanced induction and senior nursing support for new and temporary staff, including local clinical-area induction.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Action
Review out-of-hours skill mix and training needs and coordinate regular senior nursing deployment meetings with escalation of staffing concerns.
Stated by Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 June 2020.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Individual NHS trusts are responsible for determining staffing numbers, staff types and agency staff use.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Health Education England leads national workforce education, training and workforce supply arrangements.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
East London
Concerns raised1
Insufficient gynae-oncology consultant cover
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 concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient clinical capacity for safe cover at each service location
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 concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Manchester West
Concerns raised1
Absence of another qualified nurse when an agency nurse is on duty
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 concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing capacity for patient acuity
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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
Action
Recruit additional midwifery staff and monitor midwifery and medical staffing monthly.
Stated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Complete a Birth Rate Plus assessment of workforce needs for the new unit.
Stated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Increase consultant cover through recruitment of three consultants and provide 60-hour labour-ward presence.
Stated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Implement the Birthrate Plus labour-ward acuity system and support staff to use it for timely escalation.
Stated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing and medical staffing capacity
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 concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing levels
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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
Action
Recruit additional midwives through continuous advertising while monitoring staffing levels through the Assurance Board.
Stated by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health BoardStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
Includes recurring shortages or inadequate deployment of qualified healthcare staff, including nursing cover, unsafe clinical caseloads, required one-to-one nursing care and specialist clinical staffing capacity.
