Unsustainable pressures
Resources to support RCN members dealing with unsustainable service pressures
The health and care system is under pressure to ensure services are delivered in a safe and timely manner, and the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing pressures on staffing and resources in all health and care settings.
However, pressures on health and care services are not limited to COVID-19 or the increased demands caused by winter infections.
This resource is designed to support RCN members both in delivering safe and effective care and with the difficult decisions they make every day. These decisions often relate to the type of care provided, how it is provided and who it is provided to, and can have wider implications on the delivery of health and social care services.
Safe staffing
- Staffing for Safe and Effective Care - We're calling for safe and effective care to be enshrined in law in each UK country.
- Find out more about what we're doing to campaign for safe staffing in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Nursing Workforce Standards
Key resources
Advice for nursing and patient safety
Articles and publications
- RCN Magazines, Keeping safe under pressure
- RCN Magazines, ‘This isn’t about lack of resilience’
- Nursing Times, COVID-19: Nurse wellbeing study expanded to ‘identify more ways to help’
- 10 Unsustainable Pressures on the Health and Care System in England
- UKCCNA position on critical care nurse staffing during surge
- One Voice - Joint statement on health and care staff wellbeing
- Principles for return to service – staff recovery and patient safety
COVID-19 Risk Assessment toolkit
Clinical resources
Nursing mental health and wellbeing
Keeping Safe Under Pressure webinar
RCN President Denise Chaffer and Professional Nursing Committee chair Rachel Hollis talk with Professor Geraldine Walters, Executive Director of Professional Practice at the NMC about keeping safe during current pressures.
More information can be found on the NMC website, including The Code.
How do I raise concerns?
We have developed template content to send to your employer on the below issues. We know that this can feel quite scary to do, but you can be reassured you are doing the right thing in raising your concerns and the RCN will support you to take things further if needed.
Helpful advice and support from the RCN
We're here for you
If you're an RCN member and need help with any aspect of your employment, you can access advice online or contact us directly. We're here to help - wherever you work.
Member support services
As an RCN member, you can get free, confidential help and advice on a range of issues that affect you at home and at work.
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15 May 2023
Treatment in corridors and waiting rooms ‘degrading’ for patients, say A&E nurses
The treatment of patients in inappropriate areas such as corridors and waiting rooms is increasingly common and compromises patient safety and dignity, emergency nurses have told the RCN.
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15 Mar 2023
Budget statement offers little for nursing as NHS pay talks for England continue
The Chancellor failed to address the nursing workforce crisis in a budget statement that barely mentioned the NHS or social care.
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24 Feb 2020
RCN members in Northern Ireland accept proposals on pay parity and safe staffing
Nursing staff have voted to accept an offer made in response to their historic strike action.
