Budget 'missed opportunity ' to protect the NHS
Published: 23 March 2011
Speaking following today’s (23 March) budget, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said;
“We are disappointed that the Chancellor missed an opportunity to send a clear message that cuts to the NHS must stop. With the NHS in England having to find £20 billion of savings because of the current financial climate, it is important that government rhetoric is matched with real protection for NHS patients.”
Dr Carter added:
“We are pleased that the government has acted on nurses’ concerns and increased mileage rates for those using their cars for work. Nurses working in the community have effectively been subsidising the NHS and members have strongly urged that this be recognised.
“We also welcome the increase in personal tax allowances, as well as the reduction in fuel duty. However, nurses and other NHS staff earning over £21,000 are about to suffer a two-year pay freeze and inflation is effectively rising at a rate of over four times their salaries. We fear that the result will be nurses continuing to struggle with commitments like childcare, housing costs, heating, and other household essentials.”
Ends
Notes to editors
1.For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations
3. On Monday nurses delivered a letter to No.11 Downing Street signed by almost 23,000 people, asking the Chancellor to use the budget to send a clear message that cuts to NHS posts and services must stop