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.
East London
Concerns raised1
Inadequate staffing in A&E
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.
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 Emergency Department medical staffing to the approved establishment, completing recruitment of resident doctors and consultant grades.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 June 2025.
Action
Recruit to the approved increase of 10.5 whole-time-equivalent Emergency Department nursing posts.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 June 2025.
Action
Open and operate a 17-bed temporary escalation space with dedicated nursing and medical staff to relieve Emergency Department capacity pressures.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 June 2025.
Cumbria
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ward nursing capacity for safe patient allocation
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.3
Action
Revise and implement the Safe Staffing Escalation SOP, including 30-minute action triggers and nurse-to-patient ratio review.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 June 2025.
Action
Develop and pilot a two-zone ward layout with two registered nurses to improve visibility and responsiveness.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 June 2025.
Action
Recruit to the approved AMU establishment of eight qualified day nurses and seven night nurses.
Stated by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 June 2025.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Inadequate workforce staffing capacity
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.1
Action
Complete an internal review of the Coroner’s findings and formal workforce funding requests for the SCI service.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 19 May 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
No formal workforce funding requests for RJAH’s outpatient spinal injury service were identified as having been rejected by NHS England.
Stated by NHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
RJAH, as a Foundation Trust, makes organisational decisions about workforce spending within its block-funded spinal injury service.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Somerset
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of specialist menopausal practitioners in primary and Trust-wide 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.1
Action
Work with regions and Integrated Care Boards to improve nationwide access to good menopause care.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
NHS England and the Royal Colleges are better placed to address the lack of NHS menopause specialists and services.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
NHS England and the Royal Colleges are better placed to address the lack of specialist menopausal care and GP upskilling.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Insufficient ward nursing staffing levels to meet the demand of acutely ill patients with high dependency needs
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.5
Action
Carry out the biannual Safer Nursing Care Tool review of ward establishments and assess necessary staffing increases.
Stated by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 February 2025.
Action
Incorporate additional shifts into the Nuffield Ward roster template and use temporary staffing to address staffing requirements.
Stated by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 February 2025.
Action
Maintain an additional nursing assistant on the Nuffield Ward night rota to support patient safety.
Stated by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 February 2025.
Action
Assess ward acuity daily and escalate concerns to secure additional staff or redeploy staff between wards when necessary.
Stated by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 February 2025.
Action
Hold twice-daily safer-staffing huddles to review staffing gaps, mitigation, redeployment and temporary staffing needs, escalating unresolved issues to the Chief Nurse.
Stated by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 February 2025.
Essex
Concerns raised1
Insufficient experienced doctor skill mix on the Labour Ward
This report raised 15 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
Adopt a rota requiring junior registrars to pair with senior registrars and establish supervision and risk-mitigation arrangements when the intended skill mix is unavailable.
Stated by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 December 2024.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain sufficient staffing for timely patient medical 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.12
Action
Deploy senior fellows to cover consultant rota gaps with consultant oversight.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Appoint three emergency-surgery locum consultants and an academic colorectal consultant to increase rota resilience.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Complete an independent review of elective and emergency upper-GI care and service configuration.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Consider all recommendations from the independent upper-GI service review.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Introduce the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and Framework 15.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Complete a high-level diagnostic of current and future workforce demand and supply.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Operate the 4R’s Workforce Delivery Framework with allocated resources supporting implementation over two years.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Deliver workforce programmes addressing diagnostic risks, including sustainable staffing, retention, training and workforce-plan foundations.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Provide £200 million in additional funding to expand ambulance service capacity and improve response times.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Provide £1 billion in dedicated funding to increase staffed core hospital beds by 5,000 compared with 2022/23 plans.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Deliver the Long-Term Workforce Plan, expanding domestic education, training and recruitment while improving staff culture, leadership and wellbeing.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Action
Plan for and provide system support ahead of winter pressures through operational, surge, cross-system and workforce preparedness measures.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 30 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
The inquest found no evidence that the standard of clinical care contributed to Mr Spencer’s death.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Trusts are responsible for ensuring safe staffing levels in the current day-to-day operation of their hospitals.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Local staffing and workforce arrangements are the responsibility of NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Wiltshire and Swindon
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing and resources for falls mitigation on hospital wards
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.2
Action
Develop and provide national falls-risk guidance and implementation toolkits for hospital patients at risk of falls.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Action
Publish the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to increase, train, retain and reform the NHS workforce.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 April 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Existing national falls guidance and implementation toolkits are considered sufficient to support appropriate falls-risk assessment and interventions.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Local nurse leaders are responsible for calculating safe staffing levels, with NHS Trust boards reporting staffing levels to NHS England.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Responsibility for responding to the report’s concerns rests with NHS England, so no duplicate response will be provided.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Insufficient GP capacity to meet demand at HMP Cardiff
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.1
Action
Expand GP capacity through increased core-establishment funding, a local-practice service-level agreement and recruitment of additional GPs.
Stated by Cardiff & Vale University LHBStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 March 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient qualified and trained immunology staffing
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.2
Action
Deliver the Long-Term Workforce Plan through strategic workforce planning and expanded domestic education, training and recruitment.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 March 2024.
Action
Improve workforce culture, leadership and wellbeing to support staff retention in NHS employment.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 March 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Trusts are responsible for ensuring safe staffing levels in the day-to-day operation of their hospitals.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects 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.
