Responding to Welsh Government’s announcement it will extend staff staffing levels into paediatric wards and continue the nursing bursary, UNISON Cymru regional secretary Tanya Palmer said,
“Safe and effective staffing levels are paramount in providing quality care for patients and decent working conditions for staff. So this is very welcome news.
“Many nurses tell UNISON they are stressed-out, working as hard as they can in often trying circumstances. Significant staff shortages put great pressure on the whole healthcare team.
“We need to invest in our public services and public service workers to make it an attractive career with good quality jobs and training opportunities. The additional resources announced today and the continuation of the bursary will help make NHS Wales a positive place for nursing students to gain experience.
“UNISON campaigns for safe staffing levels across all grades. For example, hospitals without an adequate number of cleaners leaves that hospital open to the risk of cross-infection and we will continue to press for the extension of safe staffing in adult mental health inpatient wards; health visiting services and district nursing services.”
“Credit where it’s due, the Welsh Government has again demonstrated it is more forward-thinking than Westminster and Wales continues to lead the way, improving the National Health Service. This is how progress can be made when trades unions and government work in partnership.”
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON press officer on 07816 538397