Nurses welcome Chief Medical Officer’s focus on physical activity

Published: 15 March 2010

For immediate release: Monday 15th March 2010

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today welcomed the Chief Medical Officer’s focus on physical fitness in his final annual report and called for all children to have access to advice from school nurses. Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery for the RCN, said:

“Simple steps such as taking a walk every day can help people of all ages to maintain their physical and mental health. Children in particular must be encouraged to take part in physical activities - whether it is walking to and from school or engaging in competitive sports. School nurses can offer expert advice to children as soon as they start school to help and encourage healthy habits into adulthood. We are, however, aware that there is a serious shortfall in school nursing provision, and many pupils cannot access this advice. This must be tackled to prevent future generations from suffering unnecessarily from something as simple as inactivity.”

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Notes for Editors

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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.