RCN Scotland reaction to Scottish Government NHS estate announcement

Published: 10 February 2012

Commenting on today’s Scottish Government announcement on the NHS estate, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Director Theresa Fyffe said:

“We highlighted our concern about the planned cut to the capital budget for the NHS when the budget was first presented, because, as well as concerns about the fabric of buildings being reported to us by members, an Audit Scotland report in 2009 revealed a third of the NHS estate needed upgrading.

"The importance of modern and well-equipped hospitals and health centres cannot be underestimated, with the review of the tragic outbreak of C. difficile at the Vale of Leven hospital in 2008 finding that the poor estate there was a contributory factor. So it is good news for patients that that decision has now been reversed, particularly as today’s State of the Estate report reveals the true extent of the costs the NHS faces to get its buildings fit-for-purpose, i.e., appropriate for the provision of high quality healthcare.”

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview, please call 0131 662 6173 or the out-of-hours press officer on 07962 801005.

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world’s largest professional organisation and trade union for nursing staff, with members in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. RCN Scotland promotes patient and nursing interests by campaigning on issues that affect our members, shaping national health policies, representing members on practice and employment issues and providing members with learning and development opportunities.  With around 39,000 members in Scotland, we are the voice of nursing.