27E. Francis Report

RCN Public Health Forum

(MFD) That the meeting of RCN Congress discusses the implications of the Francis report for nursing and nurses working in the UK

Debate report

Linda Bailey, from the RCN Public Health Forum, asked Congress delegates to discuss the implications of the Francis report for nursing and nurses working in the UK.

Robert Francis did not suggest that nursing students should work as health care assistants as part of their training, she said. Linda talked about the widespread public misunderstanding that the RCN is responsible for standards setting, but said that when staff are working in a climate of fear, they will not come forward to express their concerns.

There were helpful recommendations in the report, such as the need to look at patient/staff ratios, Linda said. But strong nursing leadership at ward level is needed, and Linda recommended that “Sister” takes the lead as modern matrons are often frustrated as they drown in paperwork. The Francis report can be used as a tool to get voices heard, she said.

Jason Warriner urged delegates to take a common sense approach, avoid knee-jerk reactions and avoid creating a culture of blame. As a UK-wide issue, he said that nursing staff need to learn from the report and move forward.

David Dawes acknowledged the report contained a lot of recommendations but he took issue with boards providing poor leadership around standards of care. Sitting on boards is a privilege, not a right, he argued; and he said the RCN should lobby to ensure that any board members who oversee poor care are not allowed to sit on other boards. Mike Travis suggested members take practical action and get elected onto hospital boards.

John Kelsall spoke from personal experience and said the care he received in the Mid Staffordshire was “excellent”. He referenced the number of nurses reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the wake of the scandal but stressed “managers get away with it”.

Background

References and further reading