RCN expresses support for Stafford staff

Published: 16 April 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has offered its support to staff at Stafford Hospital, following the announcement that the trust that runs the hospital is to be put into administration by the health regulator Monitor.

The RCN has published a newsletter for its members based in the hospital, in which views are sought on the future of the hospital.

Paul Vaughan, Director of the RCN in the West Midlands, said that staff will have understandable questions and concerns about the future of the hospital, the future of their jobs and the ease with which people in Stafford will be able to access acute hospital services if the proposed changes are implemented.

“This is uncharted water for the local health economy in Staffordshire, and that is why the process for deciding the future of the hospital must be meticulous and duly transparent. It must consider the widest possible range of evidence, informed judgements and potential risks,” he said.

The RCN is calling for the importance of engaging staff at the hospital and maintaining their morale to be recognised.

“Nurses and health care assistants have worked hard to improve care standards at Stafford and it’s vital that they are able to maintain their focus on patients throughout this period of uncertainty about the hospital’s future,” added Paul.

The RCN will participate in a march in Stafford to support the hospital and its staff on Saturday 20 April at 2pm.