Nurses warn of care home challenges
Published on 14 March 2012 01:00 PM
Care homes are struggling to meet the medical needs of older people, nurses have warned.
Increasing numbers of residents are being transferred to care homes from acute hospitals, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
A study of 600 nurses working in care homes found that almost four in 10 (38%) feel that the homes are understaffed.
Meanwhile, more than a quarter (26%) do not believe they have the adequate equipment or medical supplies.
The RCN warned that cuts in funding could lead to further difficulties in providing suitable care.
Almost half of the nurses surveyed (48%) said their homes are already accepting residents to fill empty places, despite concerns about the levels of care.
RCN general secretary Dr Peter Carter said the findings are 'hugely concerning' and show the challenges faced by care home staff.
He added: 'Many of these challenges are not new, but following years of underinvestment these issues have now significantly worsened. When nearly two in five nurses say there are not enough nurses to meet the needs of residents, then you know that this is a worrying state of affairs.
'Even nurses who were positive about the quality of care felt it was delivered despite significant challenges.'
Copyright Press Association 2012