‘Dangerously low’ staffing levels at children’s hospital

Medical staff at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital have warned ‘dangerous staffing levels’ have put patients in its critical care unit at risk.

They listed their concerns in an ‘honesty box’, a letter leaked to the Manchester Evening News revealed.

Concerns included allegations some ill children were discharged early, and claims of a lack of equipment and beds.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said concerns are taken very seriously.

Other complaints included: having to monitor two ventilated patients simultaneously, which was dangerous; children being discharged to general wards early in order to free up beds; not enough experienced staff on shifts; understaffing ration to patients leaving nurses and patients vulnerable to mistakes as they are always rushing; staff being ‘guilt-tripped’ to come into work; and staff expected to come in in their own time to train on equipment necessary to care for children.

A letter was then sent to management claiming management is aware of concerns but do nothing to address them.

A meeting with the hospital’s nursing management team has been requested.

In a statement, the trust said: “The management team have taken the concerns of the staff very seriously and responded immediately with a series of actions to ensure that these concerns are fully understood and addressed.

"Only under very exceptional circumstances would staff be expected to care for two ventilated patients and this would be for a very short period of time.

"The decision to admit or discharge a child to or from the children's critical care service is always based on clinical need and an assessment of the resources available.

"Every effort is made to accommodate these very sick children and we are very grateful to our staff for their commitment and hard work.”