King's College London

The NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce today publishes a new report commissioned by Deborah Sturdy OBE, the Department of Health and Social Care's Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. It explores the evidence base for adult social care nursing in the UK. There is surprisingly little research about these estimated 40,000 Registered Nurses (RNs) working in adult social care in England but there are currently many shortages of them.

Michelle Cornes and Jill Manthorpe of the Policy Research Unit found evidence that higher nursing staffing levels in care homes are associated with better outcomes for residents (there is a lack evidence about other care services). They argue that employers and policy makers should further support RNs working in the adult social care sector, and find out why they work in social care, and what their vision for adult social care might be. While most RNs in social care are employed in care homes, others provide expert care for other groups and in settings such as day services, homecare and housing support. And some nurses hold very senior roles in care providing agencies as managers and owners.

This rapid evidence review points to the lack of research on this valued part of the adult social care workforce and offers a timely agenda for funders of research to consider.

This publication

Cornes, M., & Manthorpe, J. (2022) The role and contribution of Registered Nurses in social care: A rapid evidence review, NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, The Policy Institute, King's College London.

See also

The NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce has published a series of rapid evidence reviews as part of its work for the NIHR Policy Research Programme.

Are you a Registered Nurse working in adult social care? Would you be interested in taking part in a research study?

In 2023 we are conducting a follow-up study deriving from this evidence review. See the project page.

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