Invest in school nurses to tackle obesity

Published: 10 February 2010

Commenting on NHS Information Centre statistics indicating the number of people in England having obesity surgery has risen by 55% in the last year, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

“It is deeply concerning that obesity continues to be a significant threat to the long and short-term health of over 60 per cent of adults, and a quarter of children, who are overweight or obese.

“Obesity is everyone’s business – reducing the level of obesity can only be achieved by a fully collaborative approach, with Government departments working together.  As we approach the general election, the RCN is calling on all political parties to commit to protecting the nation’s health by tackling the root causes of ill health.

“Investment in school nurses and health visitors will help put children on the right track at an early age, which is crucial in turning around the obesity crisis. As we enter a future of financial constraint in the NHS, it is even more important for sustained investment to be made to reduce the incidence of obesity.”

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Notes to Editors

Further information about the RCN’s General Election manifesto, and the priorities for nursing, can be found at http://generalelection.rcn.org.uk/

For further information, interviews with relevant case studies or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php

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.