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.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Insufficient Paediatric staffing at Bassetlaw Hospital
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.
West Sussex
Concerns raised1
Inconsistent daytime consultant presence in the High Dependency Unit
This report raised 14 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
Define critical-care leadership and accountability under the consultant in charge, with consultant-led handover for junior night staff.
Stated by Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
NHS Improvement, NHS England, and the Care Quality Commission, working with the Trust and commissioners, were responsible for ensuring appropriate action.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester City
Concerns raised1
Insufficient staffing levels or staff competence for safe care
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.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised2
Lack of specialist nursing for patients at high risk of falls
Insufficient staffing for patients in side rooms and balcony areas
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.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Unavailability of additional nursing cover for one-to-one support
Inadequate ward staffing levels for safely caring for patients
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
Establish daily staffing monitoring that identifies patients requiring enhanced observation, includes out-of-hours handover, and checks Nurse Bank availability.
Stated by Swansea Bay University Local Health BoardStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 22 December 2016.
Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon
Concerns raised1
Shortage of Cardiac Intensive Care Unit specialist nurses for post-operative patient 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.6
Action
Work to ensure NHS trusts can access international nursing labour markets.
Stated by NHS EmployersStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 November 2016.
Action
Operate a programme with NHS employers to share good practice and improve staff retention.
Stated by NHS EmployersStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 November 2016.
Action
Request specific identification of actions to retain cardiac specialist nurses.
Stated by NHS EmployersStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 November 2016.
Action
Review national registered-nurse supply and its impact on specialist intensive-care nurse recruitment and retention.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 November 2016.
Action
Review NHS operational plans and workforce requirements to support safe, sustainable workforce models.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 November 2016.
Action
Continue partnership work with Health Education England to explore and develop specialist critical-care nurse training, development and retention opportunities.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 November 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Employers are responsible for specialist nurse training and ongoing specialist cardiac intensive care workforce supply and retention, with support available from HEE.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient availability of trained nursing staff
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.1
Action
Merge D2 staff with the Short Stay Surgical Unit and increase weekend capacity to 32 patients, providing additional emergency capacity and redeploying spare staff to staffing gaps.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 June 2016.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Insufficient junior medical 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.
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
Review medical staffing rotas to maximise senior cover and monitor staffing levels.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 February 2016.
Action
Continue recruiting medical staff and collaborate with Health Education North West and junior doctors to improve training experience and long-term attraction.
Stated by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 February 2016.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Inadequate staffing levels and expertise in the ward
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 South
Concerns raised2
Insufficient nursing staffing capacity
Insufficient medical staffing capacity for patient review
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.1
Action
Recruit additional nursing staff, including European and international registered nurses, through quarterly cohorts to increase Medicine Business Group capacity.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 February 2016.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Out-of-hours staffing arrangements, including prioritisation and access to senior clinicians, were considered adequate for urgent reviews and emergencies.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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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.
