Safer staffing
Nurse staffing at The Walton Centre
At The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, we want every patient to receive safe, high-quality care and to have the best possible experience while with us. To make sure this happens, we carefully plan and monitor our staffing so the right people with the right skills are available at the right time.We look at more than just how many nurses are on a ward. We also consider the level of care each patient needs. Some patients need closer monitoring or more specialised care, and this is taken into account when planning staffing levels.
We regularly review our nurse staffing using a nationally recognised tool called the Safer Nursing Care Tool. This helps us understand how many nurses are needed based on how unwell patients are and the type of care they require. We also listen to the professional judgement of our experienced nurses, who know their wards and patients best.
Patient safety and quality of care are always our priority. We continually monitor patient outcomes and quality measures, and we review our staffing at least twice a year to make sure it continues to meet patients' needs. Care on our wards is provided by a team. Alongside registered nurses, other trained healthcare staff work together to support patients and families.
Not all wards are the same, and a single staffing ratio does not work for every area. Some specialist wards, such as those caring for patients with complex neurological needs, may require more nurses. In other areas, patients may need less intensive nursing support.
To be open and transparent, we display both the planned and actual staffing levels on each ward for every shift. The most up-to-date monthly information is also available below as well as the most up to date report.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Deputy Chief Nurse, Jo Shaw.