UKCCNA Position Statement: Emergency Nurse Staffing for COVID-19: Wave 2 (Nov 2020)
17th November 2020
The UKCCNA acknowledges the enormous pressure nurses are experiencing at present. Based on research evidence and experience from Wave 1, critical care nurse leads believe they will best secure patient safety and staff well-being in Wave 2 if nurse: patient ratios are maintained at a minimum of one trained critical care nurse* and one registered healthcare professional** for two level 3 beds (compared with the normal 1:1 ratio), and one trained critical care nurse with one registered healthcare professional for four level 2 beds (compared to the normal 1:2 ratio). This should be achieved through the redeployment of staff from outside of critical care, who should have received surge training.
