Seventeen NHS hospitals have been told their staffing levels are too low and therefore they do not have enough staff “to keep people safe and meet their health and welfare needs”.

Hospitals were not the only health care providers to be revealed as being understaffed; London Ambulance Service and eight mental health units were also warned about the safety of their staffing levels. The Care Quality Commission revealed its findings after its latest inspections following the growing concerns over the safety and dignity of NHS patients.

Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary, said there was “no excuse” for hospitals not to provide adequate staff and he expected “swift action” to be taken by those who are failing.  Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association said: “It is a deeply worrying picture”.