RCN: Skilled staff needed to ensure patient care

Published: 28 January 2010

The Royal College of Nursing says the NHS must have enough skilled nurses to ensure that the quality of patient care does not suffer. The comments come in response to the figures highlighted by the Conservative Party which suggest an impending shortfall of nurses over the next five years.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter says:

“The RCN has been saying for some time that with up to 200,000 nurses due to retire in the next decade, there is a serious crisis looming which any government must address as a matter of urgency. As well as keeping trained and experienced staff in the profession, and making it easier for those who have left to return, we must make sure that nursing is an attractive profession. This means that people who do choose to study to become a nurse must get the financial and educational support they need to pursue their studies and their careers.”

The RCN says that the demand for nursing care will increase, so having enough staff with the right skills must be a priority for whichever party is in government.