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.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient doctor staffing capacity for emergencies, clinical queries and home visits
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
Maintain a protocol requiring home visits requested before closing to be completed after 18:30 when necessary.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 May 2019.
Action
Provide cross-cover through two nearby practices, allowing clinicians to access the practice clinical system remotely during capacity pressures or emergencies.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 May 2019.
Action
Deliver group resilience training focused on home visits, emergencies and testing staff knowledge of operational policies.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 May 2019.
Action
Review protocols in light of the concerns raised.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 23 May 2019.
Action
Arrange telephone triage training for the identified doctor through accredited third-party trainers.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 23 May 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Three doctors were working on 21 August 2018, contrary to the concern that only one doctor was on duty.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
The afternoon was not habitually busy; the doctor saw nine patients and had six unused appointments, including three afternoon slots.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Home-visit resources were available: three GPs were available and only two morning visits were requested and completed.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Existing home-visit protocols, triage, late-visit practice and cross-cover arrangements were considered sufficient for operational resilience.
Stated by Highlands & Trafalgar Square SurgeryExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Berkshire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient medical registrar cover at night
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.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing staffing levels for patients with complex needs
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.5
Action
Agree three staffing levels and update ward rosters to reflect current staffing plans.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 March 2019.
Action
Review nursing acuity, dependency and skill mix twice yearly and review roster templates against agreed staffing plans.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 March 2019.
Action
Introduce daily RAG-rated nurse staffing status reporting with escalation of unmitigated ward staffing concerns.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 March 2019.
Action
Update the Trust-wide shortfall response document to reflect National Quality Board safe-staffing guidance.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 March 2019.
Action
Continue recruiting registered nurses, midwives and operating department practitioners to increase staffing capacity.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 March 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Daily staffing reviews, safe-staffing systems and escalation processes are considered sufficient to manage staffing levels and patient-specific needs.
Stated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Black Country
Concerns raised1
Absence of permanent medically qualified staff in the waiting area
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.
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 an Emergency Department escalation plan and an in-reach process.
Stated by the Dudley Group NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 September 2018.
Action
Increase physician presence in the Emergency Department.
Stated by the Dudley Group NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 September 2018.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing and clinical staffing for very sick babies
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
Allocate nurses to specific babies on every shift and reinforce the allocation process through staff communications.
Stated by Birmingham Women'S and Children'S NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Action
Implement the neonatal workforce plan and continue recruitment to restore staffing capacity.
Stated by Birmingham Women'S and Children'S NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Action
Reconstruct and align the NICU e-roster with the workforce plan.
Stated by Birmingham Women'S and Children'S NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Action
Move babies where possible to support the safest care, while embedding the practice fully.
Stated by Birmingham Women'S and Children'S NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Action
Price the Vocera system for staff to summon colleague support.
Stated by Birmingham Women'S and Children'S NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 September 2018.
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
Concerns raised1
Insufficient A&E Doctor staffing to cover patient needs
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Short-notice Emergency Department staffing gaps cannot always be covered because of workforce fragility and limited available doctors and agency staff.
Stated by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS TrustUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Manchester West
Concerns raised1
Insufficient post-operative medical staffing capacity
This report raised 8 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 South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient radiology staffing capacity for CT-guided drainage procedures
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.
Southampton and New Forest
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide continuous junior doctor or registrar cover for NICU
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 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
Failure to staff wards at correct staffing levels
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.
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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.
