Safe nurse staffing bill 'would cut costs'

The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales has used her speech at the party’s conference this week to reaffirm the importance of her safe nurse staffing bill.

Kirsty Williams introduced a bill last year which could see Wales become the first country in the UK to set minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

Speaking at the party’s conference in Bournemouth, Ms Williams said that if the bill becomes law, it will mean patients spend less time in hospital because there will be more nursing staff to care for them.

She said it would also reduce agency costs and added that the Welsh Labour government has overseen the ‘the deterioration of public services’ in the country.

‘The Tories have ducked the issue of the NHS in Wales,’ she said. ‘I refuse to let Labour do likewise. It’s too important for that. 

‘No more families fighting for loved ones to be treated with dignity, or overworked staff powerless to deliver decent patient care, care they want to deliver. 

‘We will make Wales the first country in the UK to put a legal duty on safe staffing levels.’

The bill is in the second stage of the National Assembly for Wales legislative process, during which it is considered in further detail by the health and social care committee.