Last month there were also over 2 million visits to A&E departments in England.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned that patients and NHS staff are “paying a heavy price” despite ongoing “lip service” from the Government.
They have accused the Chancellor of ducking the opportunity to address health inequalities and chronic staffing shortages across the health service.
Official statistics show there are nearly 40,000 registered nursing vacancies across the NHS in England alone.
Last week Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he did not “believe the pressures on the NHS are unsustainable” despite NHS performance data showing a new record-high for the number of patients on waiting lists for treatment.
Last month, there were also over 2 million visits to A&E departments in England, the highest number in any September since current records began and over 100,000 patients waited over four hours for admission to a hospital bed.
The Chancellor did however pledge £5.9 billion for new equipment and promised to give NHS workers a pay rise “next year”.
Paying a heavy price.
Responding to the Budget statement from the Chancellor, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said: “Despite lip service to levelling up, the Chancellor has ducked the opportunity to address health inequalities and invest in the country’s nursing staff as a means of investing in patient safety.
“The pay freeze hit nurses working in social care and the community – but whether in the NHS or not, nursing staff need a proper pay rise that finally recognises their skill and professionalism.
“He failed to address their pay and again kicked the can down the road by failing to give any commitment to a funded strategy for England to address the tens of thousands of vacant nurse jobs in health and care.
“The public’s greatest fear for health and care services is the current lack of staff. With salaries falling in real terms each year, too many more are considering their future.
“Patient care is paying a heavy price, as is our workforce. Any new centre or clinic requires skilled staff, as does the backlog of people needing care and support.
“Announcements on new hospitals and clinics raise patient expectations but without investment in the nursing workforce waiting lists will continue to grow.
“Patient safety should be the primary concern of every politician. Today’s statement sets the direction for the next few years but completely misses the chance to address years of absent workforce planning.”
