London has 'critical' shortage of 10,000 nurses, says RCN

Nearly one in five nursing posts in London is vacant, according to new research that reveals a ‘critical’ shortage of nurses in the capital.

Figures published today by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and based on Freedom of Information requests to all London 36 NHS trusts show that there were more than 10,000 empty nursing posts across the trusts last year.

This figure is equivalent to 17% of all registered nursing posts in the capital, a rise of 6% in two years, from 14% in 2014 and 11% in 2013.

The nursing vacancy rate in London is much higher than the national average of 10%.

The research shows that some London trusts have vacancy rates of close to one third.

RCN London regional director Bernell Bussue said that urgent action should be taken by the government to ensure patient care is not affected by the shortages.

He said the problem was due in part to ‘shortsighted’ workforce planning, which has led to cuts in training posts.

Mr Bussue added that this has led to a scarcity of home-grown nurses coming through the system.

He also blamed the cost of living in the capital, saying: ‘Most importantly, the ongoing pay freeze imposed by the government means that nursing staff increasingly cannot afford to live and work in London.

‘Pay has run 10% below inflation since 2010.

'The government urgently needs to give nursing staff a pay rise at a level that helps them settle in the capital for the long term.’

Many trusts are struggling to recruit permanent staff and have resorted to expensive solutions, such as using temporary agency staff or recruiting overseas.

Some trusts are also running many more vacancies than in previous years.

The five highest nursing vacancy rates in London are:

• London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, at 30%
• South West London Mental Health NHS Trust, at 30%
• South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, at 26%
• Hounslow and Richmond Community Health NHS Trust, at 25%
• West London Mental Health NHS Trust, at 22%

At the other end of the scale, Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, had rates of 3% and 6% respectively.

The RCN surveyed the trusts last July.

Nursing vacancies at London NHS Trusts (Source: Royal College of Nursing London)