Mind the gap: the extent of the NHS nursing shortage

Abstract

The NHS is struggling to recruit and retain nursing and midwifery staff in a time of high turnover rates and low morale. The problems are most acute in inner cities and teaching trusts. The government is tackling the crisis, but the reasons behind the staffing shortages are complex The government has a mission to “modernise” Britain's NHS. Success will depend on NHS staff—in particular, whether their numbers can be boosted, whether staff can change how they work, and whether they can be motivated to “go the extra mile” for the NHS. Yet the service is struggling to attract and retain staff in crucial areas, particularly in nursing and midwifery. Here we assess the extent of recruitment and retention problems in nursing in England, comparing acute NHS trusts in London with those in other cities. In another article in this same issue we examine the government's initiatives for tackling these problems.1 #### Summary points The nursing and midwifery workforce comprises two broad groups of staff working in the NHS. The first group comprises registered nurses and registered midwives, who have a diploma or degree and who have registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (before 1 April 2002, the UK Central Council …