RCN: Children’s services report raises serious issues

Published: 16 March 2009

The Royal College of Nursing has said that recruitment and retention issues in children’s services is leaving those in post ‘seriously overworked’. The RCN has added that appropriate training is essential and no nurse should ever be told there are not enough resources to provide them with the training necessary to do their job.

The comments come as the Healthcare Commission published its report on children’s services which highlighted the shortage of children’s nurses, especially in emergency care.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter commended the report, commenting that the findings raise serious issues that are a major cause for concern. He added:

“It is a problem of recruitment and retention, which leaves the children’s nurses that are in post, seriously overworked. The report also points out that not enough nurses are receiving adequate training in meeting the needs of children, yet we know that nurses want to train and develop their skills, so that they can do the best possible job.

Our members tell us that in far too many places, being able to access nurse training for children’s care is not an option. Even though Government and professional bodies have issued guidance for minimum training standards, our members find that so many trusts do not have the budget or the inclination to train their staff”.

The RCN wants to work closely with the Government, the Commission and other Royal Colleges to ensure that recommendations on training are followed up and delivered in every health setting.