New values plan welcomed

Published: 24 September 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has welcomed a new Department of Health initiative which outlines the values of compassionate care for nursing, midwifery and care-giving.

The vision, which is out for consultation, also asks how values can be developed further across health and social care in England.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said: “A culture of compassionate care is vital if we are to shape the NHS of the future. It is also just that – a culture, and it takes a concerted effort from all concerned to develop it. As we have shown with our This is nursing initiative, nursing staff in every setting show extraordinary feeling and commitment in the care they give to patients. To always give that standard and quality of care, however, the system needs to support them rather than hinder them.”

He added that nursing staff often feel short staffed and unable to spend the time they would like with patients.

Read more on the Department of Health website.
Visit the This is nursing website.