RCN expresses continuing concerns about competition in the NHS

Published: 24 April 2013

The Royal College of Nursing today issued a briefing ahead of a House of Lords motion to annul new competition regulations being introduced in the NHS.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary said: “The RCN remains concerned that new Clinical Commissioning Groups could be forced into using competition as a result of these revised regulations. This concern was expressed clearly at our annual Congress this week, where members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution calling for the removal of Section 75 regulations.

“Competition in the NHS should only be applied where it helps to deliver high quality patient care, not on the basis of price alone. There will be many times when competition is unhelpful or simply inappropriate, and regulation should not force the issue. At a time when rising demand means greater collaboration across the health service is an absolute necessity, it is concerning that competition could stand in the way of this.

“Guidance for commissioners, setting out how these regulations should be interpreted, must be released as a matter of urgency. This guidance must clearly set out that commissioners will have the freedom to use competition only when it is in the interests of their patients.”