Health and Social Care Bill ‘deeply flawed’ - RCN

Published: 21 March 2012

The RCN today (20 March) commented on the Health and Social Care Bill which is moving towards receiving Royal Assent. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“Now that the Health and Social Care Bill is about to get Royal Assent, we wish to be clear that the RCN respects the democratic process. This is however a deeply flawed Bill that we have repeatedly raised concerns about.
We have achieved some concessions which make the Bill a different piece of legislation from that which first appeared, but our real concerns about the future of the NHS have not been heeded.

“It is now our responsibility to patients to do everything we can to ensure that health service runs as best as it can despite the massive upheaval that this Bill will bring.

“We intend to work with Trusts, regulators and other bodies but our fear is that in the fullness of time this Bill will be a cause of significant regret.

“Perhaps most importantly we will be supporting nurses who are going to have to pick up the pieces and still deliver the best care they can for patients through this extremely difficult time of change.

"The RCN is committed to the principles of the NHS – that it provides care free for all at the point of need – if this is infringed in any way we will challenge it. ”

Notes for 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.