29E. Conspiracy of silence
RCN Scotland Board
(MFD) That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses how to end the conspiracy of silence from political and health leaders about the state of our NHS
Debate report
RCN Scotland Board
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses how to end the conspiracy of silence from political and health leaders about the state of our NHS
“A Polyanna approach to patient care is dangerous,” said Stewart Donnelly, who proposed a heated emergency matter for discussion around the “conspiracy of silence” about the state of the NHS - a culture which has left many staff “powerless”.
Hannah Marriage, Nottingham branch, raised the point that it seemed Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband had at least listened to Congress during his visit on Tuesday. She referred to Ed Miliband pulling up Prime Minister David Cameron on breaking his promises to the RCN at Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday. “Ed did say he would listen, and it seems he has,” she said.
Meriel Flux, Surrey branch, said that a conspiracy of silence has a devastating effect on patients and families, while Nykoma Hamilton, Fife branch, said that politicians use the NHS like a little football to kick about. “We can see through the lies, and the gloss, and the spin,” she said.
Claire Drot, Southampton branch, called on Congress to speak out and not be afraid to do so, reminding members that the RCN will support whistleblowers.
The striking image from the debate was most of the hall on their feet as Maria Nicholson called on people to stand up if cuts were happening in their area. “Stand up if you’ve had vacancy freezes, stand up if you’ve had post cuts in your area, stand up if you know there are fewer posts being offered to students this year,” she called. One member exclaimed that she couldn’t stand any higher.
At the end of the discussion Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, informed Congress he was currently drafting a letter to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health to make it clear the number of registered nurses has gone down, despite the Prime Minister stating on Prime minister’s Question Time that clinical staff numbers had gone up. “It is important we put that in writing,” Peter told Congress.
