Achieving safe staffing for older people in hospital

Hospitals provide care for older people who are the frailest, most acutely ill and have the most complex needs, yet older people's wards in many hospitals are poorly staffed. The Royal College of Nursing (2012) has published summary guidance and recommendations on safe staffing for older people's wards. The guidance and recommendations were developed as part of a project that explored staffing and factors underpinning good quality nursing care for older people in hospital. The full report of the project will be published later this year. This article presents further data from the project exploring the relationship between staffing levels and care delivery, as well as staff views on the adequacy of staffing and approaches to workforce planning at ward level. It also explores the practical implications for nurses working on older people's wards.