Health: Staff

House of Lords written question – answered at on 5 February 2013.

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Photo of Lord Taylor of Warwick Lord Taylor of Warwick Non-affiliated

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of staffing levels in hospitals on death rates.

Photo of Earl Howe Earl Howe The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

No assessment has been made of the impact of staffing levels in hospitals on death rates. Ministers have regular discussions on a range of performance issues including staffing levels. However, decisions on the appropriate workforce needed to deliver high quality care must be taken locally and it is the responsibility of local professional leadership teams to determine appropriate staffing levels.

Any changes to any staffing levels and skill mix must be made in a way which ensures that the safety and quality of services to patients is maintained as required in the NHS Operating Framework.

There are now over 6,000 more qualified clinical staff working than there were in May 2010. The nursing, midwifery and care strategy led by the chief nursing officer is very clear that hospitals should publish staffing levels and the evidence to show that the numbers are right for the services they deliver and the patients they care for. The department fully supports this.

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