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.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure qualified and clearly designated nurse-in-charge cover
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Insufficient trained staffing for enhanced observations of patients at risk of severe self-harm
This report raised 7 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.2
Action
Implement enhanced supervision and engagement policy with risk-level assessment, staffing escalation, supervision handovers, daily review and family or carer involvement.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2026.
Action
Include enhanced supervision in mandatory training for staff providing enhanced supervision to patients.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Responsibility for mental health team staffing falls within Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust's remit, not this Trust's.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
East Riding and Hull
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 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
Publish a new 10 Year Workforce Plan to support appropriate NHS staffing and workforce distribution.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 June 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Individual NHS trusts and employers are responsible for determining staffing levels and workforce composition.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Inexperienced ward staffing for detained children
This report raised 30 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
Implement staffing controls requiring appropriately skilled and inducted bank and agency staff, supported by rota review and competency oversight.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Implement enhanced escalation and local induction processes when CAMHS roster requirements or staff competencies are insufficient.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Increase CAMHS staffing capacity and strengthen leadership through additional shift staff, retention premiums, new management and preceptor-support roles, and activity coordinators.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
Action
Continue developing CAMHS preceptorship and workforce planning, and use the Mental Health Optimal Staffing Tool across the Trust.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 February 2026.
East Riding and Hull
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain adequate staffing for TAG nursing care
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.5
Action
Operate daily site staffing meetings and twice-daily Trust-wide safe staffing reviews to identify staffing risks and redistribute workforce to priority areas.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 January 2026.
Action
Provide 24/7 site-matron oversight of staffing escalations, including authorising redeployment, temporary staffing and enhanced-care arrangements outside core hours.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 January 2026.
Action
Complete a safer staffing establishment review using recognised staffing tools and triangulation with patient outcomes to identify staffing gaps and prioritise investment.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 January 2026.
Action
Approve nursing establishment investment for priority red-rated areas, including the recommended Ward 90 healthcare-assistant uplift.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 January 2026.
Action
Implement the approved safer-staffing investment in phases, prioritising red-rated areas and aligning recruitment with affordability planning.
Stated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 January 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The staffing and TAG nursing concerns fall outside NHS England’s usual role and remit.
Stated by NHS EnglandOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is responsible for its own recruitment and should address related queries.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing of the gastroenterology and endoscopy service
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.
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 substantive gastroenterology and endoscopy staff through Health Board-wide advertisements.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 January 2026.
Action
Develop sustainable workforce models using multidisciplinary roles, cross-site working and alternative diagnostic pathways.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 January 2026.
Action
Conduct a Rapid Quality Review of Gastroenterology Services to identify risks and agree mitigating actions.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 January 2026.
Action
Develop an Integrated Digestive Disease Service with shared leadership, standardised pathways, coordinated workforce planning and strengthened governance.
Stated by Betsi Cadwaladr University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 January 2026.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure tracheostomy-trained nursing cover for residents requiring tracheostomy support
This report raised 3 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.
West Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing establishment for ward bed capacity
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Staffing levels exceeded the planned ratios for Ward 6’s expanded bed capacity, which the Trust says ensured safe and appropriate care.
Stated by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing for safe transfer of elderly 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 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.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of appropriately trained mental health nurses for acute psychiatric patients
This report raised 12 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
Provide 24-hour Mental Health Support Worker coverage, including de-escalation, therapeutic engagement and support for patients with complex needs.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Deliver mental-health training to emergency-department nursing and medical teams through collaboration with Psychiatric Liaison Teams.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Action
Launch an investigation into mental health crisis care for patients in emergency departments, covering resources, environments, and admission or discharge decisions.
Stated by Health Services Safety Investigations BodyStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 August 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Providing mental health care for patients without physical health needs is outside the Trust’s commissioned remit.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Surrey and Borders Partnership provides local mental health services, while NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB commissions those services.
Stated by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Clinical matters fall outside the commissioning organisation’s remit.
Stated by NHS Southwest London Integrated Care BoardOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Clinical matters are the responsibility of the relevant Trusts.
Stated by NHS Southwest London Integrated Care BoardRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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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.
