HOSPITALS are facing a serious staffing crisis that could put patients in danger, figures reveal.
A survey across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland showed two-thirds of shifts do not have enough nurses to guarantee safe care — a 63 per cent rise in a year.
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The biggest concerns were on maternity wards and injury rehab units.
The poll also found red flag events, where patient safety is at serious risk, were reported on more than half of all shifts by healthcare staff.
The union Unison was behind the research.
Unison’s national nursing officer, Stuart Tuckwood, said: “These figures show staffing levels across the health service are alarmingly low on a regular basis.
“Nursing staff are often unable to provide vital care or administer pain relief to their patients on time.
“Workers are desperate for help from their employers, but there’s little action when they report their concerns.
“Urgent investment is needed in hospital staffing to ensure patients are kept safe.”
Last month, The Sun revealed thousands of NHS office jobs were facing the chop — as three more top-ranking officials resigned in Labour’s drastic health service reforms.
Back office staff numbers were to be cut by half at NHS England and the Department of Health.
The two organisations have a headcount of almost 20,000, meaning 10,000 could go.
NHS England’s chief financial, operations and delivery officers all quit in March.
Julian Kelly, Emily Lawson and Steve Russell, who were paid a combined £545,000 last year, followed the organisation’s medical director and CEO out of the door in Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s blitz.
He is making cuts after a review by Lord Darzi said over-management had become a burden on medical staff.
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