Overview
- The Royal College of Nursing, which opened its Liverpool congress on Monday, released new survey and freedom‑of‑information findings warning that low nurse numbers and more complex cases are raising the risk of harm.
- In a poll of more than 13,000 nurses, 79% said patients’ clinical needs have grown in the past two years, about a quarter judged their last shift a high risk for harm, and only around one in ten said staffing met patient needs.
- FOI data gathered by the RCN recorded 21,725 reports of racist abuse or discrimination against nursing staff from 2022 to 2025, with the union saying under‑reporting means the true scale is higher and urging standardised recording across the NHS.
- RCN members voted on Tuesday to develop a UK‑wide programme to help staff tackle racism, including training, clear guidance, and support to report incidents.
- A separate NHS Alliance survey of leaders found almost two thirds of organisations expect to cut or reduce services this year, with more than half expecting to reduce clinical staff.