RCN: NHS not recognisable in Government report

Published: 10 January 2013

Frontline health care staff will struggle recognise the picture of the NHS pictured in the Government’s mid-term review report, the RCN has said.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said that in reality the demand for services is continuing to rise but staffing levels are being cut, resulting in a direct impact on patient care.

“We know that since May 2010 more than 61,000 posts have either been lost or are set to go in the NHS in England and that more than 7,000 nursing posts have been axed. On a daily basis, nurses are telling us that they do not have enough staff to deliver good quality care,” he said.

The RCN would like to work with the Government to focus on reversing the drop in nursing numbers, reviewing social care funding and making progress in moving services into the community.