Editor's comment: the unkindest cuts of all

Published: 05 July 2011

It’s not just our salaries and pensions that are under pressure, says Editor Dion Smyth - most trusts in England are considering cuts in specialist nursing. Can cancer patients really afford to wait for better economic times?

“To those waiting with bated breath for that favourite media catchphrase, the ‘U’ turn, I have only one thing to say… ‘You turn if you want to; the lady's not for turning.’” And so, early in her premiership, Margaret Thatcher set out her somewhat irrevocable stall, suggesting that she would not govern as a more liberal conservative and steering a course to privatisation of public services and utilities.

Whether the country was a better place for her reforms is a moot point, but her policy did undoubtedly lead to the pragmatic ideology of the 'third way' of Blair’s administration.

Now, 21 years later, the philosophical inheritors of Thatcher’s conservatism find themselves in a coalition that’s attracting criticism for, depending on your viewpoint, perceived confusion or compromise in collective government and decision-making.

The U-turn over the fate of our forests was followed by the controversy surrounding GP commissioning consortiums and, more recently, Ken Clarke's sentencing plans.

And, if you haven’t heard, there’s also the reversal of a manifesto pledge on regular refuse collections – is that a rubbish policy, I hear you ask? Don’t get me started on that one – it would be easy to say 'too many to mention’.

Charity begins at home

Of course, a more charitable view might be to consider that compromise and consultations show contemplation and concern and, let’s not forget, contributing more to charity has been advocated as an important part of the success of the Big Society.

But can we afford to be charitable after recent measures such as having a pay cut enforced on us for two years, all the while anticipating that our pensions can be reviewed and cut, having a disproportionate effect on nurses and other members of the public sector?

More questions

As reported in Cancer Nursing Practice (10:5; 5), two-thirds of trusts are cutting dedicated specialist nursing care, including cancer specialist nursing. If so:

• can we afford to be so benevolent when the benefits we provide to the care and treatment of patients seem to be so blithely ignored?
• can we be munificent when media reports and recent research show us that the most deprived and disadvantaged members of our society are suffering because of late access or a lack of access to appropriate cancer care?
• can we afford to be so benign when the benefits we build up over a long enough lifetime career of caring can be carved up so readily and we must now 'look forward' to a longer working life?

Reports and research reveal the evidence of cancer nurses contributing excellence to clinical outcomes and quality care. Now, more than ever, nurses need to share good practice and lead on improving cancer care and clinical services.

We must insist that any seat at whatever ‘top table’ exists in future is not a sop, afterthought or political consideration by a political leader. It must be a meritorious, meaningful and measured response in recognition of the value of good clinical nursing care and the valuable services nurses add to contemporary inter-professional cancer care.

Nurse innovators in cancer care

The first conference of the re-constituted RCN Cancer and Breast Care Forum, set for 25 November in London, will go some way towards celebrating nursing as it invites you to be inspired by nurse innovators. Do take this opportunity to contribute to topical discussion and debate, and network with oncology nurses, leading charities and other organisations linked to this sector.

The programme will include essential policy updates and the National Cancer Action Team will tell how they’re improving patient outcomes in oncology. Clinical practice sessions will share best practice.

And if that’s not enough for you, Dr Phil Hammond will also be there. Yes, him off the telly. You know the one - the doctor, the comedian… he does stuff like Have I got news for you. We hope he will be giving everyone a laugh because... well, they say it’s the best medicine, isn’t it? And we’re all being expected to swallow some bitter pills, aren’t we?