Introduce legally enforceable safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in the NHS
Make minimum staffing levels a legal requirement by introducing national nurse-to-patient ratios that can help guarantee patient safety and protect staff wellbeing.
Signatures
10,439
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 10,439/100,000
- 25 MAR 2026Petition closedFinal total: 10,439 signatures
- 17 MAR 2026Government respondedDepartment of Health and Social CareGovernment reply
There are no plans to make nurse-to-patient ratios a legal requirement in England. Staffing levels are determined locally, supported by national guidance and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Read full response - 19 FEB 202610,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 25 SEPT 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We believe recent government cuts have worsened understaffing issues, pushing services to a tipping point. Patients can be left waiting, care can be rushed, and harm can occur. There are reports of nurses burning out and leaving in record numbers. We feel unsafe care has become normal and is endangering both patients and staff. We think action is urgently needed to protect lives and sustain the NHS.