Liberal Democrat party conference, Brighton

Monday 18 September

Dr Peter Carter arrived in Brighton today for the Liberal Democrat party conference. The conference was busy with lots of party delegates, politicians, journalists and advisors.

The RCN is part of the Health Hotel group of health interested professional bodies, like the British Medical Association and Royal College of Midwives. The Health Hotel put on a number of events during the course of the conference which were very well attended and supported by high profile politicians, including Norman Lamb MP, the Shadow Health Secretary for the Liberal Democrats.

Not only was Peter able to meet with politicians, he also met with a number of our health stakeholders about working more closely together. Meetings included Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive of Rethink; a national mental health membership charity.

Dr John Pugh MP

Next it was on to a meeting with Dr John Pugh MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, who was interested to hear more about the RCN’s pay campaign and the morale of nursing staff. We also spoke of our concerns over the rise in hospital acquired infections, and John agreed that more action was needed to tackle these dangerous bugs.

Paul Burstow MP

Then it was straight into a meeting with Paul Burstow MP, the Chief Whip for the Liberal Democrats. Paul is well acquainted with health issues, having formerly been the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health, as well as currently campaigning locally against cuts and closures to St.Helier Hospital. Paul is particularly concerned with the frequency in which systems are changed and people are replaced at his local NHS trust. He also shared our concerns over future shortages in the nursing workforce due to vast number of nurses who are due to retire over the next 10 years.

Norman Lamb MP

The last meeting of the day was with Norman Lamb MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health. Peter Carter set out the RCN’s view on HCAI and the need for senior management to take responsibility as well as nurses. Peter also set out how angry nurses were about this year’s pay award. Peter also raised the issue of deficits and that there were still a number of trusts in dire straights, and that this issue had not gone away.

Work foundation fringe event

Peter Carter then went on to speak at a fringe event titled "Is the Health of the Nation built on the morale of health service workers?", which was hosted by the Work Foundation and sponsored by NHS Confederation. Norman Lamb MP, Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Barnett, NHS Employers, and Dr Ian Wilson, Deputy Chair BMA Consultants, also spoke on the panel. Peter Carter highlighted the need to consult with nurses on modernisation and reform, to award nurses a fair pay and to end the job freezes and post deletions caused by trusts clawing back deficits.

Health Hotel reception

The busy day was rounded off with the Health Hotel reception. Representatives from all the Health Hotel member organisations attended and a short address was given by Norman Lamb MP.

Tuesday 18 September

NHS Confederation breakfast

The day started early with a breakfast meeting to discuss health inequalities hosted by the NHS Confederation. Amongst the attendees were Dr Evan Harris MP, Baroness Tonge and Anna Walker, Chief Executive of the Healthcare Commission. The attendees enjoyed a lively and informative discussion on health inequalities and Peter recommended that nurses, and specifically specialist community nurses, can and should take the lead in delivering services and reaching those in deprived areas.

Norman Lamb’s speech

Next was Norman Lamb’s speech in the main auditorium. Norman highlighted some key themes for the Liberal Democrats including local accountability, fairness and empowering patients. While acknowledging Labour’s increased financial investment in the NHS, Norman said much of the investment had been wasted on countless reorganisations, a point that Peter Carter had made as well.

Fringe event: Who should have the most say on the NHS – patients, politicians or staff?

Hosted by the RCN, BMA, NHS Confederation and New Health Network

There was an excellent turnout at this lunchtime fringe with a strong line-up of speakers. John Carvel chaired the event, with Norman Lamb MP and Ann Rossiter, Social Market Foundation, each speaking briefly on where the power lies in the NHS and the impact of increased private provision. Representatives from each of the fringe partners, including Peter Carter, then gave their comments before questions were invited from the floor.

Fringe event : Keeping healthy people healthy - preventative care and the public health agenda.

Hosted by the RCN, British Dental Association, Family Planning Association and Royal College of Midwives

Due to other commitments Peter had to leave before this fringe event, so Janet Davies, Executive Director for Service Delivery, spoke on behalf of the RCN. Representatives from each of the fringe partners spoke, Professor John Appleby chaired the event and Norman Lamb MP spoke on behalf the Liberal Democrat party.

After a busy couple of days in Brighton it was then back to London to prepare for the Labour party conference in Bournemouth.