RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary visits South Wales NHS Trust

On Monday the 23 March the Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing met with nurses and healthcare assistants at one of Wales's largest NHS trusts.

During a visit to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust, Chief Executive and General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter met with Director of Nursing Vicki Franklin and Acting Chief Executive Calum Campbell. The meeting with senior executives was followed by a visit to the Anglesey Ward where plastic surgeries are performed.

Dr Carter, who was accompanied by Tina Donnelly Director of RCN Wales spoke to RCN members and nursing students about the good work being carried out as a result of the launch of the 1000 Lives Campaign to improve patient safety in the NHS. He also visited the Accident & Emergency department and met with local RCN activists Christine Thomas and Mark Thomas. Members at the trust which provides care to a wide area of South Wales form part the 23,000 strong RCN membership in Wales.

Commenting on his visit (to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust) Dr Peter Carter Chief Executive and General Secretary of the RCN said, "24 hours a day seven days a week nurses and healthcare assistants are at the sharp end of the NHS. Beyond the headlines and often unseen, their work is the backbone of the hospitals, clinics and care homes here in Swansea and across Wales. They provide the care and support to thousands of patients and are the unsung heroes of healthcare. I am proud to have met them today and to have heard their story and proud that they are our members."

He continued, "The local population should take comfort in the professional nursing workforce at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust. They are undoubtedly a credit to the NHS."

Later Dr Carter joined the delegates to the 50th Anniversary Nursing Research Conference held at City Hall Cardiff.