Invest NHS surplus in frontline services says RCN
Published: 05 March 2009
The Royal College of Nursing has said that it is ‘imperative’ that any NHS surplus is swiftly reinvested in frontline services to improve patient care.
The comments came as the Department of Health predicted a surplus of £1.735 billion in the NHS, the RCN has urged the Government to make it clear what it intends to do with the money.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said the College was encouraged that the NHS is on a firm financial footing but urged the Government to maintain sustain NHS spending through the current economic challenges . He said:
“It is particularly important that NHS spending is sustained through the economic downturn, and that funding intended for health care does not get diverted. During the downturn, we know that health can suffer and the NHS must be fit to deal with this.”
Read the Department of Health press release in ‘news releases’ on the Department of Health website.