Valerie raises the need safe staffing levels in the NHS

On Wednesday 11 February 2015 the Opposition was granted an Urgent Question asking the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Robert Francis’ latest Report on the treatment of NHS Whistleblowers.

Valerie asked: “What support will he give trusts to ensure that safe staffing levels are implemented given that the might need extra resources for that.”

The Secretary of State replied: “We have protected and increased the NHS budget in real terms at the time of the big financial crisis since the Second World War. So I think in terms of making resources available the Government has done what it can. The only thing I would say that improving care is not always about money. There are hospitals that manage to staff their wards safely and achieve financial balance. In fact hospitals that practice safe care actually tend to have a better financial position than those that don’t, so safe care and good finances actually go together.”