RCN comments on draft Care and Support Bill

Published: 19 March 2013

Social care and health care must work together to ensure that people receive the best care in the best setting, the Royal College of Nursing has said.

The comments came in response to the Joint Committee’s report on the draft Care and Support Bill.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, has described the bill as a “long overdue step in the right direction”.

He said: “We are pleased to see the committee has picked up on a number of areas of concern which the RCN highlighted in our submission, including the importance of properly integrating services, long-term workforce planning and adequate care home provision.

“Nursing staff work in both health and social care and see the consequences when systems are not properly integrated. The delays this can cause often result in patients receiving care in the wrong settings. 

“It is important now that the feedback of the RCN and other organisations is used to deliver a health and social care system which is fit for the future,” he added.