Peter Carter: More nurses means better care
Published: 11 May 2009
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, told delegates at this year's RCN Congress, that more nurses means better care for patients. Dr Carter emphasised that nurses and other public sector workers are also affected by the current economic crisis
Dr Carter also used his annual speech to RCN Congress to reflect on the recent events in Mid Staffordshire, where the Healthcare Commission's investigation into emergency care at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust found that the poor standards of care were a result of placing more importance in money saving measures than providing quality patient care.
Dr Carter reviewed all the progress in all four countries of the UK over the last year and launched a brand new initiative telephone line which will allow RCN members to talk in confidence about serious and immediate worries that patient safety is being put at risk in their workplace. Read more on this in RCN launches phone line to support whistleblowing nurses.
Further information
Read more about RCN Congress 2009.
Read the RCN news story: RCN calls for independent inquiry at Mid-Staffs (15 April 2009).
Dr Peter Carter OBE is General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the world's largest professional union of nurses. The RCN has a membership of 400,000 nurses, midwives, health visitors, nursing students, cadets and health care assistants.
Before assuming the post of RCN General Secretary in January 2007 Dr Carter spent almost twelve years as the Chief Executive of the Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, one of the largest mental health trusts in the UK with an operating budget of over £180 million and an international reputation.
He commenced his NHS career by training as a psychiatric nurse at Hill End Hospital St Albans. He is also a general nurse, having trained at St Albans City Hospital and the Institute of Urology in London. In addition he has held a number of clinical and managerial posts in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and London.
Dr Carter is a graduate, and a member, of the Chartered Institute of Personnel. He also has a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a PhD - both from the University of Birmingham. He was awarded the OBE for services to the NHS in the 2006 New Year's Honours.