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.
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.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Senior doctors consider staffing levels appropriate, disputing that junior orthopaedic staffing levels were dangerous.
Stated by Barts Health NHS TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain sufficient staffing and funding capacity for timely surgery
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.5
Action
Increase urgent and emergency care capacity, including funding additional capacity and 5,000 new beds.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Train, retain and reform the NHS workforce through the Long Term Workforce Plan.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Increase elective care capacity, prioritise diagnosis and treatment, transform care delivery, and improve patient information and support.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Develop local workforce planning and distribute future training posts to match doctors’ supply with population need.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
Action
Operate a dedicated fragility-fracture theatre list five days per week.
Stated by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 November 2023.
North Wales (East and Central)
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing and clinical staffing capacity
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Central and South East Kent
Concerns raised1
Insufficient nursing staffing capacity and resilience in the community mental health team
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.
East London
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of mental health nurses in care homes and nursing homes
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.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
North Northumberland and South Northumberland
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of separate designated nurse coverage for consecutive days
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.
Essex
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 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.
Berkshire
Concerns raised1
Shortage of nursing staff
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.7
Action
Continue targeted and general recruitment campaigns to increase the substantive nursing workforce.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Action
Increase student placement capacity to expand the future nursing workforce.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Action
Provide trainee nursing associate and degree apprenticeship routes to develop nursing staff.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Action
Continue international nurse recruitment and provide recruited nurses with examination preparation, registration support and preceptorship.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Action
Continue recruiting healthcare support workers through recruitment drives, apprenticeships and Care Certificate training.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Action
Encourage substantive and former permanent staff to undertake shifts through the Trust’s staff bank.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Action
Recruit a Trust People Promise Manager to support workforce retention and wellbeing.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 4 November 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The Trust will not address or comment on the national nursing shortage because that issue falls outside this response’s remit.
Stated by Frimley Health NHS Foundation TrustOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
South London
Concerns raised1
Inadequate staffing levels for patients with higher dependency needs
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 recruitment and retention activity to attract, develop and retain the nursing workforce.
Stated by King'S College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Conduct daily senior-led staffing calls to mitigate staffing risks and maintain safe patient-to-staff ratios.
Stated by King'S College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Action
Provide proactive continence care, including scheduled assistance to the bathroom.
Stated by King'S College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 September 2021.
Norfolk
Concerns raised1
Insufficient CPR-trained staffing for patient transport
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.2
Action
Provide basic life-support and CPR training to all patient-conveying staff, including drivers, completing internal training as external certificates expire.
Stated by Premier Rescue Ambulance Service LtdStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 2 June 2021.
Action
Establish an authorised internal training capacity by qualifying a staff member to train others within the company.
Stated by Premier Rescue Ambulance Service LtdStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 2 June 2021.
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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.
