RCN WALES has today called on the Welsh Government to urgently address the shortage of consultant nurses within NHS Wales, raising concerns about patient care due to gaps in workforce planning and insufficient support for these vital roles.
Consultant nurses are senior practitioners who integrate clinical care, research, education, and strategy to drive improvements across various fields, including emergency care and mental health. According to a report from RCN Wales, a lack of investment has caused a concerning decline in consultant nurse numbers, with some health boards employing as few as 1.6 full-time consultant nurses. This, RCN Wales claims, has led to inconsistent care quality across Wales.
Helen Whyley, RCN Wales Executive Director, said: “Consultant nurses are vital to the future of health care in Wales. They offer expert advice, lead clinical teams, and enhance patient outcomes. The failure to invest in this role not only jeopardises the care of patients but also stifles the innovation nurses can bring to NHS Wales.
“Some health boards have recently started to invest in consultant nurses, but the overall picture is very disappointing, with numbers remaining too low and many regions unable to meet diverse health care needs,” Whyley added.
National programme urged
The Herald understands RCN Wales is urging the Welsh Government to implement a national programme to address these workforce gaps, ensuring an evidence-based approach to staffing consultant nurse roles. This initiative, RCN Wales argues, should be a cornerstone of the upcoming Nursing Strategic Workforce Plan.
RCN Wales recommendations for Welsh Government
- Increase consultant nurse roles across NHS Wales to meet patient needs.
- Instruct Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to conduct a gap analysis of the consultant nursing workforce.
- Enable health boards to determine consultant nurse requirements based on population health needs.
- Promote clear career pathways for consultant nursing roles to ensure continuity in patient care.
- Ensure consultant nurses have a voice within NHS Quality Statements and via the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales.
