RCN: concern over competition regulations

Published: 28 February 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has expressed its continuing concerns about the role of competition in the new NHS in England, as new regulations are laid before parliament.

In its evidence to the Scrutiny Committee, which is responsible for approving the guidance, the RCN has made it clear that encouraging competition to this extent would be detrimental to professional co-operation and collaboration in the NHS, and could negatively affect patient care. The RCN fears the new regulations contradict government assurances that the Health and Social Care Act would not open up the procurement of NHS services to full-scale competition.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said collaboration, not competition, must be encouraged: “During the passage of the Health and Social Care Act, the RCN expressed its concerns that care should not become fragmented through further competition,” he said. "By skewing the system in favour of competition, the NHS risks putting price ahead of the need to deliver high quality care."

"Recent events have made it clear that the NHS cannot allow itself to be diverted away from delivering high quality care," he added. "The RCN is urging the Government and parliamentarians to reflect this as the Health and Social Care Act is implemented."

Read the RCN’s submission to the Scrutiny Committee (PDF 213KB) [see how to access PDF files].