Editorial

Politicians must commit to affordable homes

The cost of housing is an issue for most of us, but nursing staff have been among those hit hardest by soaring property prices. Finding affordable accommodation within striking distance of work is a challenge in many parts of the UK, not only hotspots such as London and south east England that are known to be expensive.

The cost of housing is an issue for most of us, but nursing staff have been among those hit hardest by soaring property prices. Finding affordable accommodation within striking distance of work is a challenge in many parts of the UK, not only hotspots such as London and south east England that are known to be expensive.

Given that so many nurses work shift patterns that make a long commute difficult if not impossible, it is all the more important they are able to buy or rent somewhere to live near their place of work. Successive governments have introduced schemes designed to help NHS staff and other lower-paid public sector workers, but the problem persists.

The RCN flagged up the issue last week as part of its manifesto for the London mayoral elections, and received support from NHS Employers along the way. The college is calling for a package of measures to help so-called key workers, with its recommendations being based on the findings from a recent membership survey.

The onus is on political leaders to solve this long-standing problem

Among the RCN’s proposals is for a proportion of the homes built on land sold off by the NHS to be reserved for staff, and for discounted travel to be offered to healthcare workers in the capital. Bernell Bussue, the college’s leader in London, pointed out that such is the housing crisis, NHS trusts and other employers are struggling to recruit and retain staff.

‘With staffing shortages in London getting worse by the year, while patient need continues to go up, essential services are being stretched to breaking point,’ he says. The new mayor needs to show real leadership and ensure nursing staff are able to live and work here in the numbers needed to keep patients safe.’

Of course the sentiment behind these comments would apply in many other cities, towns and villages across the UK. While employers can do their bit by offering flexible working and keeping down car parking charges, the onus is on political leaders to solve this long-standing problem.

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