RCN calls for law on safe nurse staffing levels in Wales

A nurse-led petition calling for legislation to ensure safe staffing levels in Wales has been referred to a committee of Welsh assembly members to inform their vote on a bill.

More than 1,500 people have signed the petition set up by retired nurse and former RCN Wales deputy director Richard Jones.

He launched the petition last year urging assembly members to vote in favour of the Safe Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill put forward by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams.

The assembly’s health and social care committee is considering the bill. If it is passed, Wales will become the first UK country to enshrine safe staffing levels in law.

This week the petition was examined by the assembly's petitions committee and formally referred to the health and social care committee.

Last week, Ms Williams voiced her views on the need for the legislation at the health and social care committee's final evidence session.

The RCN has long campaigned for safe staffing legislation to be introduced in Wales.

Mr Jones said he hopes the petition ‘will demonstrate to the committee the strength of feeling behind the bill from ordinary members of the public’.