RCN Congress
Published: 27 April 2008
RCN’s annual Congress opens today and runs until Thursday 1 May 2008. Nurses from around the UK are gathering in Bournemouth to discuss current nursing and health care issues.
Today’s RCN congress story calls for dignity to be at the heart of nursing. Our RCN survey of over 2,000 nurses reveals that eight out of ten nurses admit they have left work feeling upset or distressed because they have not been able to ensure that patients have been treated with dignity.
Dr Peter Carter RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary said: “Dignity should not be an after thought or an optional extra. Something as simple as gowns that cover patients, access to specialist equipment like hoists and having sufficient staff on a shift make a difference to the patient’s experience of care.”
The current target-led culture often has a negative impact on the nurse’s ability to ensure that patient dignity is a priority.” The RCN is calling for nurses to be given the time, resources and organisational support to ensure that all patients are treated with dignity. The RCN wants both nurses and patients to report their concerns around quality of care to senior staff. Go to our press release about the dignity survey. This week our discussions will include; presumed consent for organ donation, health care reform how far, how fast, the future of the pay review body and the NHS at 60, what next? For more details go to our main congress page.