RCN members to march for ‘A Future that Works’

Published: 29 June 2012

Members of the Royal College of Nursing are being encouraged to take to the streets of London as part of the Trade Union Congress’ march on 20 October.

The march for “A Future that Works” will bring together workers from across the public services in order to demonstrate against cuts to the NHS and the public sector as a whole.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said: “Nurses showed the strength of feeling when they marched last year and the fact that they are coming together again demonstrates the depth of their concern about these cuts. The Government would do well to listen to frontline staff facing these challenges on a daily basis and consider alternatives to simply cutting posts and valuable services. If they continue in this way there is no doubt that patient care will suffer.

“Equally, it is hardly surprising that morale is now so low; with nurses stretched to breaking point and tough pay constraints in place at a time when inflation is soaring.  There is compelling evidence to show that workload and workplace issues have a serious effect on morale and motivation, which in turn is closely linked to patient experience.”