Government unwilling to engage, says RCN

Published: 20 February 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has said the Government has showed an unwillingness to engage with nursing staff by failing to invite all relevant groups to today’s Downing Street meeting on the NHS reforms.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said it was difficult to understand how the Government could hold a productive meeting on the Health and Social Care Bill without representation from the single biggest workforce in the NHS.

“They have continually pledged throughout this process to put clinicians in the driving seat, yet this decision would suggest an unwillingness to engage with the views of nurses.”

Dr Carter added: “Nurses know how to improve care and it is vital for patients that they are listened to. The RCN has said that we will continue to raise the genuinely held concerns of our members with the Government. However, our overall view remains that the bill as a whole risks damaging the NHS which our members work hard to build and support."